Aboitiz Football Cup set for post-pandemic return

It's back.

With the world slowly returning to normalcy, the same thing can also be said for sporting events, one of which will take place next month in Batangas.

The fabled 22nd edition of the Aboitiz Football Cup is set to take place at the Aboitiz pitch besides The  Outlets at Lipa within the LIMA Estate.

Riding on the coattails on the growth of the sport in the last twelve years, the competition will feature seven-a-side action in fourteen different divisions, with tournament organizer Rely San Agustin hoping to snap up at least twelve participating teams in each division.

With four mixed age-group categories (U-7, U-9, U-11, U-13), as well as four more boys age-group categories (U-15, U-17, U-19, U-23), there is an emphasis on the grassroots development, something that San Agustin emphasized.

He shares, "The success of the Aboitiz Football Cup has been its grassroots program where kids can fulfill their football dreams as they go up the football pyramid."

Completing the list of categories are the open categories for mixed, men, and women, with three more veterans' divisions (30-39, 40-49, and 50+)

The competition starts on November 12 and will take place on the next few Saturdays until December 10.

“With the Aboitiz Football Cup back in season, this is a healthy sign for the game and staying fit and healthy with life getting back to a sense of normalcy after the lockdown,” added San Agustin.

Aside from the competition, there are other activities set to take place alongside the games. A football clinic will take place that is tailored for the youth and for teachers in Batangas, as well as a referees course and events management sessions to improve the skills of local referees and coaches.

According to San Agustin, the end goal is to get these participants to be able to organize their own tournaments in their respective communities.

LIMA Estate Vice President for Operations Clifford Academia says, "The Aboitiz Football Cup has been a great arena to gather professionals and football enthusiasts alike. As LIMA Estate hosts its 3rd Aboitiz Football Cup this year, we play part of a greater purpose to advance communities and people’s lives through athletics. We understand how sports have been instrumental in community development and value formation, hence, we saw an opportunity to use this season’s festival days as training sessions for community kids in Malvar, Batangas. This 8-day football clinic provides the community kids a chance to meet and play with some of our successful football players and drive inspiration from their values and experiences. Looking ahead, we wanted to give them a chance to experience a football festival, and hopefully next year, participate in quality competition."

Those who check out the action also have the opportunity to be partake of the burgeoning scenes within the LIMA Estate, highlighted by the amenities available at The Outlets.

Interested parties who wish to participate in the 22nd Aboitiz Cup can send their inquiries to info@rsa1group.com or to send SMS to +639177025952.