1st BRO National Football Festival set on April 20 to 22

THE 1st BRO National Football Festival slated from April 20 to 22 at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Mandaue will be ushered in by a football clinic to be conducted in partnership with the Philippine Air Force and its sponsor Phoenix.

This was announced during the tournament’s coaches’ meeting the other night at the Chowking outlet in Guadalupe.

To man the two-day clinic are Philippine Azkals members Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong and Ian Araneta in the afternoon of April 18 and 19 still at the Aboitiz Sports Field.

Engr. Keith Buyco, one of the BRO football festival organizers, said a minimal fee will be required for those attending the clinic to cover payment for the venue and a souvenir shirt.

Also discussed during the coaches’ meeting were changes in play formats and age categories and tournament ground rules.

Organizers initially are setting a limit of 10 teams per category, but decided that they will accept any team for the tournament.

“We know that it will be hard to put a limit on the number of teams so in case the teams will go beyond 10, we have a plan B and C,” Buyco said.

This means adding more venues like the football fields of Don Bosco Technology Center and University of Cebu.

Also instead of 7-a-side, the event will now adopt a 9-a-side in such age-group categories as boys 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, men’s open, ladies open and inter-BPO.

To be played in an 11-a-side format are boys 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and girls 15 and 19.

Upon the suggestion of the coaches present, the executive 38 has been changed to executive 35-above and executive 40-above. Both categories will be played in a 9-a-side format.

Players must also have their photos placed in the picture gallery.

Players of the inter-BPO including contractual employees must also submit a certificate of employment while an NSO is required in the Executive 35 and 40 above.

The registration fee has also been increased from P500 to P750 for the 7-19 categories while the rest will have to pay P1,000 to P1,250.

Teen Azkals coach Glenn Ramos said the tournament will follow the ground rules of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) except that which they modified.

Teams can also change their lineup before their first game only and a team who will not finish the tournament will be banned from successive BRO tournaments.

Deadline for submission of requirements is on April 12. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON