Five-day football marathon for a cause and world record gets underway today

CEBU, Philippines – After the postponement, there's no more turning back for Cebu's Guinness world record attempt dubbed as 'Kick for Life:Football Marathon 101' at the San Roque Parish field at 11:45 am today.

A tropical depression is being forecasted towards the end of the five-day, non-stop football event but the organizers led by Jaq Siwala are confident that everything will go on smoothly.

For his part, Cebu Football Association secretary-general Julius Entice said they will abide by the FIFA rules and will let the game continue until the pitch is still playable.

"It's not about the downpour of the rain, it's about  the field. If it's not playable, it has to be stopped," said Entice.

From a pool of 53 players, the field is now on its final 36 divided into two teams.

A last minute replacement was made the other night when one of the players got sick, but Alex Escala, one of the team's playing coaches, said substitute is as ready as the rest since the said player also underwent rigid training.

More than the victory though, each player is upbeat to contribute something for the awareness on Congenital Heart Defect as well as to stir the public's interest and chip in funds for the less fortunate kids with CHD.

As for the world record bid, the game is targeted to go on for 101 hours to convincingly beat the current record of 72-hour football marathon set by United Kingdom for the aim of cancer awareness.

The battle involve a two teams playing on an 11-a-side format under modified FIFA rules since time of the match is targeted to end after 101 hours.

"Winning here just comes as secondary. We are going to play as one team and not to compete each other, but that of the world record," said Escala.

The plan of bringing in a GWR adjudicator here is not pushing through so organizers will have to document the proceedings day after day.

"We'd rather give the amount that we will be paying for the adjudictators for our beneficiaries for their consulation or operation," said Siwala. (FREEMAN)