7x7 Football returns on Sunday

Sixth season of 7s football

The McKinley Hill Stadium will be once again buzzing on Sunday, with the sixth season of the AIA 7s.

With their preseason in the books, the biggest 7-a-side football competition in the country returns with 46 teams set to participate across five divisions, led by Season Five Division 1 champions Manila Digger.

Serving as opposition in the top-flight 7s action are Sino FC, Maharlika Manila, Manila Stars, Spoly FC, Garelli United, Rangers FC Philippines, Middle Beast, En Fuego, and Manhur Fatima. With promotion and relegation part and parcel of the competition, action across all three ten-team men's divisions will be intense.

The same can be said on the women's side, led by powerhouse Kaya FC, with Manila Nomads, Manila Digger, Azzuri Verde, Maharlika Manila, Azzurri SC A, Payatas FC, and Manila Nomads Braves serving as their foils towards a successful title defense in Division 1.

League president Anton Del Rosario shares, "The 7s is coming back full steam for its sixth season. We’ve got 52 youth teams and 46 adult teams playing every Sunday for the 12-week season. That’s 4,000 people who will troop to the McKinley Hill Stadium to play, support and cheer their respective squads. It’s a great way to usher back football after this long pandemic."

The former Philippines international adds, "And since we are the only ones who have a women’s league in the country, we want to support our Women’s National Team and keep the ladies active. Eventually, the plan is to expand from women’s seven-a-side to full 11-a-side football."

Fellow former Philippines international and 7s executive Eddie Mallari also adds, "The best part about the 7s is that it’s just all about fun and competition. Seven-a-side football by nature is a high pace, a lot of touches on the ball, and of course, a lot of goals. This is exciting for the youth especially after the pandemic because it allows them to be active, to develop physical and social skills as families and friends are able to hangout and enjoy football on a Sunday."

In addition, del Rosario plans to revive the Kampeon Cup, a tournament they devised back in 2019 to bring together the best players from their satellite leagues across the country. First hosted at McKinley Hill, the second edition is expected to be played in either Bacolod of Cebu.

Outstanding participants in the Kampeon Cup are expected to comprise the Philippines selection for the Asia 7s scheduled in February next year.