7s Football League set for inaugural Women’s Kampeon Cup

7s Pampanga

The Kampeon Cup is getting its female flavor this weekend.

Considered as the showcase event to best show seven-a-side football in the country, the first-ever AIA Vitality Kampeon Cup for women is scheduled this weekend, April 15-16, at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig.

Six sides will comprise the inaugural cast: Batangas, Bonifacio Global City, Cebu, Muntinlupa, Palawan, and Pampanga, with the draw earlier this splitting them into two teams: Group A will have Pampanga, Muntinlupa, and BGC, while Batangas, Cebu, and Palawan will be in Group B.

Saturday action will see round robin pool play, while Sunday is devoted to the postseason. The semifinal is slated at 3pm, with the third place game at 5pm and the championship to be determined one hour later.

League founder Anton del Rosario shares, "I’m really excited for the first Women’s Kampeon Cup. Women need a pathway for the sport and more local role models. This is where I believe that these ladies representing their cities will be able to step up and be that heroine."

The former Philippines international adds, "We’re happy to have six cities participating, but the goal is to get all the major cities from all over the Philippines to participate. That will not only help the women but also the sport of seven-a-side football grow."

AIA Philippines Head of Health and Wellness Kats Cajucom says, "AIA Vitality is excited to not just sponsor one but two Kampeon cups this year! We’re dedicating the first one specifically for women. Personally, I believe that women deserve their time to shine in a male-dominated sport, and the AIA Vitality Women’s Kampeon Cup happening this April 15th will showcase some of the best female teams the country has to offer. This will be the third time we’re having a Kampeon cup under AIA Vitality, and it’s a fitting continuation because not only does it help us promote our brand purpose of helping people live healthier, longer, and better, but it also highlights AIA Vitality’s dedication to espousing an active lifestyle."

AIA Philippines Head of Branding and Communications Bernadette Chincuanco adds, "Our partnership with 7s founded by Anton, has grown stronger since we first kicked off in 2019. It has given us an additional platform to promote our brand purpose of helping people live healthier, longer, better lives through sports. This year, our fifth with 7s Football League, brings about even more exciting games for Filipino football fans: the weekly 7s during the weekends brings together football players of all ages, and with the two AIA Vitality Kampeon Cups with the women’s cup this April 15, we’re once again gathering the best of the best. The newest one, BPI AIA Asia 7s, brings to the Philippines international teams. So watch out for those!"

Former UAAP collegiate football standouts are among those set to participate in the competition, both on the field and on the sidelines, led by BGC's stellar group that includes the likes Charisa Lemoran. Shelah Cadag, Dai Dolino, and Irish Navaja.

Aside from the AIA Vitality Women's Kampeon Cup, the 7s Football League is also set to host its AIA Vitality Youth Kampeons One Day Festival at the same venue. U5, U9, U15, and U17 matches take place on Saturday and the U11 and U13 matches on Sunday.

The tournament is sponsored by 7x7, TapGo TV, Palaro, and Blaze Athletics.