Team Leylam to join Singapore bootfest

CEBU, Philippines -  Seeing football as a potential way to raise funds for the victims of earthquake in Bohol, Cebu Leylam Football Club will see action in Singa Cup, Singapore’s premier international youth football tournament this Sunday at Singapore.

Team Leylam will fly to the Lion City this afternoon to compete in the under-18 division. Only two teams from the Philippines are joining the tournament under the same division, the other one being the Ateneo de Manila University.

Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC) is supposed to play in Singa Cup, but they withdraw because of their participation in the Cebu City Olympics next week.

Under the tutelage of coach Hayato Ayabe, Team Leylam is composed of booters from different schools in Cebu led by South Hills International School's Evren and Baris Tasci, Edward John Belo,Jupert John Remollo, Kenneth Tan, Christian Keen Agot, Junjay Anthony Arizabal, Christian Dave Bartolabac Paez, Vinson Josef Nery, Aldrich Michael Pelenio, Willfred Villaver and Allain John Carlo Abella of the University of  San Carlos , Luis Alexander Garciano of the University of Cebu, Philip Fernandez of Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus and Julian Pio Miranda, a home-schooled athlete.

“We are really aiming for the title, but if not, at least we can play in the finals and show them that even clubs in the Philippines can put up a good challenge in an international level competition,” said Turkish team owner Ugur Tasci.

Tasci already asked permission to the organizers of the Singa Cup to put up a booth during the festival where people can see pictures of the present situation in Bohol and encourage them to donate.

Leylam have already donated goods to Bohol, but Tasci felt that it’s not enough and they need to raise more funds for the victims of  the 7.2 magnitude earthquake.  (FREEMAN)