PHILIPPINE Azkals Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong and Ian Araneta will be arriving this afternoon to grace the opening of the 1st BRO National Football Festival set to start tomorrow until April 22 at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Subangdaku, Mandaue.
The two are supposed to hold a football clinic that organizers would have held in partnership with Philippine Air Force and its sponsor Phoenix to usher the tournament.
However, the clinic has been cancelled because Caligdong and Araneta need to immediately return to Manila tomorrow afternoon as the Philippine Airforce Phoneix FC, for whom both also play, have a scheduled match against Kaya FC in the United Football League First Division Tournament on Saturday.
Instead, the two Azkals will be going straight to the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) in Punta Princessa from the airport for a meet and greet with the students there.
Then they will be gracing the opening ceremonies of the tournament at 10 a.m.
Also invited to attend the opening are Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Rep. Benhur Salimbangon who have have yet to confirm their attendance.
A total of 201 teams vie in the tournament.
The drawing of lots for the bracketing of teams was done late yesterday afternoon and not today as earlier planned so they can spend the whole day today for last minute preparations. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON