Young futsal players aim for the big league

MANILA, Philippines — For any young football and futsal player in the country, being part of the Allianz Explorer Camp Football Edition is the dream. For three years now, Allianz Philippines has been helping Filipino players fulfill that dream through the Allianz National Youth Futsal Invitational (ANYFI).

A partnership with the Henry V. Moran Foundation (THVMF) and in coordination with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), this annual event aims to encourage aspiring football and futsal players in the country to not just excel in these sports in their hometowns, but aim to play in international competitions as well.

On April 6, the three groups launched the 2019 ANYFI in Davao city to boost the sport’s presence in Mindanao. Futsal is a variant of football, and is played on an indoor court.

“The sport of football has progressed a lot since we started our futsal invitational three years ago,” said Rei Abrazaldo, brand communications and digital director, Allianz Philippines. “We have sent our most talented Filipino players in one of the best if not the best football camps in Asia and Europe. Many of them have advanced in their careers getting into the national team and representing the country in games abroad. We have also brought them to train at the FC Bayern training grounds of Sabener Strasse in Munich, Germany, and they have shown that they can indeed play among the best young football and futsal players in the world.”

“The Philippines is teeming with talent in football,” added Danny Moran, chairman of the Henry V. Moran Foundation, dedicated to helping the youth in public schools across the country through football and futsal. “We just need to give our youth the support and venue to further hone their skills and excel in the sport. Its proven across the world that futsal develops better football players, and our experience tells us that futsal is an appropriate development approach for the Philippine setting.”

This year’s ANYFI will have two phases: the local eliminations and the regional finals. The schedule of the elimination rounds across the country which will run from April 8 to May 26.

The top two teams in each age group of each of the local elimination rounds will then qualify for their respective regional finals to be held on May 26 to June 30.

This year, Allianz Philippines will sendthree players  to join the camp in Singapore and three  players to join the Munich camp to participate in the Asia and Europe legs of the camp. 

The age groups and categories for the tournament are: 14 under Boys (Born 2005); 14 under Girls (Born 2005); 16 under Boys (Born Sept 1, 2002, and after) and 16 under Girls (Born Sept 1, 2002, and after).

“The PFF is always pleased to see private entities like Allianz and the Henry V. Moran Foundation helping us grow the sport of futsal in the country,” said PFF general secretary, Edwin Gastanes. “Allianz’s support is a welcome act by the PFF and we hope that the children who join this tournament will have fun and display their skills and talents throughout the competition.”

Interested teams can email their completed application form, team registration form, waivers, and supporting documents to futsalinvitational@gmail.com. 

For inquiries, call Jesus Montealto at 09950083924.