CLARK, Pampanga — More than 7,000 football enthusiasts are expected to flock in this Freeport to witness the staging of the biggest football tournament in the country, dubbed as “Pinas Cup 2018” from Oct. 27 to 30 this year.
Organized by Manila Soccer Academy, in cooperation with the Philippine Football Federation, the event will bring together some 115 teams, including participants from Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Indonesia and Thailand, among others.
Supporters and spectators of competing teams coming from Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro, Bicol and Metro Manila, will also come over to play, cheer and enjoy the festivities during the four-day football tournament here.
Representatives from leading schools and universities in the country such as Ateneo, University of the Philippines, La Salle, Xavier School and other selected schools will also participate in the competition.
Now on its third year here, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) is coordinating with organizers to ensure the success of the event.
Meanwhile, the organizers cited the suitability of Clark as a location for the tournament and its potential as premiere sports-tourism destination.
“Clark Freeport Zone is now a primary sponsor. They provided us with eight full size pitches and five small size pitches and have agreed to maintain the pitch to a well acceptable standard and playing quality. We also find Clark as an ideal venue to host national and international teams with the international airport, numerous hotels in the area as well as various entertainment attractions,” Pinas Cup program head Monty Roxas said.
This year’s Pinas Cup will include girls, women’s and men’s categories, making the tournament a family affair which attracted several international youth teams to come and experience football games, including the beauty and festive culture of the country. (Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario/PNA)
