San Nicolas covered court transformed into futsal area

CEBU, Philippines — From being a “home” to stranded and homeless individuals at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the covered court of San Nicolas Proper has been transformed into an indoor football training site.

Laliga, one of the highest quality football league systems in the world, has refurbished the covered court of Brgy. San Nicolas Proper, making it the fourth court they transformed in Southeast Asia. The first three courts refurbished are located in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

LaLiga repainted the court with artistic elements symbolizing the Philippines, turning it to a new focal point for the community, fostering a sense of unity and pride.

This effort underscores LaLiga’s commitment to giving back to society and reinforcing its role as the largest football system in the world.

From being a private sports association made up of 20 football clubs among others and an organization of professional and national football competitions, it also has over 200 million followers on social networks globally, across 16 platforms and in 20 different languages; and has the most extensive international network of any sports property, through which it is present in 41 countries and 11 offices, with headquarters in Madrid, Spain.

Further, the association is socially active through its foundation and is the first professional football league in the world with a competition for players with intellectual disabilities: Laliga Genuine.

As for its global campaign for unity through football, and in San Nicolas Proper’s case, futsal or indoor football, the pitch will also feature #OneHumanity, a global campaign promoted by LaLiga and UNAOC to celebrate the power of unity, solidarity, respect, and inclusion in sports.

After its turnover, San Nicolas Proper barangay captain Clifford Jude Niñal said they hope to give street dwellers, especially the young ones, the opportunity to change their lives through the sport of futsal.

Niñal said La Liga hopes to have their covered court as a home of future futsal stars.

Ninal also hopes they will be able to form a formidable team that can represent Cebu in the national scene and hopefully internationally. - Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/ATO