Cebu Football 2012

Cebu Football in 2012 will be remembered in history for one major event that would stand out for everything about the sport: the Philippine Azkals played the Singapore Lions in “Face off in Cebu City.” Face Off was the first ever international friendly game hosted by Cebu. “So what?” one might ask. But Face Off was more than just an international game in Cebu. Face Off declared to the football world the real personality of Cebu Football: very much alive, vibrant and headed somewhere.

November 15 was the big day when Dan Palami brought the Azkals over to play the Lions. It was meant to be a simple friendly or tune-up game as both teams were preparing for the AFF Suzuki Cup. Incidentally, Singapore is up 3-1 on aggregate over Thailand in the final, and if they do win, Cebu Football would’ve played a part in this championship. The big story though, was not about the game per se, but the situation around which the friendly game was set up. This was the real story behind Cebu Football in 2012. It was a new and fresh start for the sport with the establishment of a new Board of Directors for the Cebu Football Association (CFA). With the fresh start came along with it a fresh restart and review of dreams, goals and directions for the sport. While it wasn’t exactly part of the CFA’s plan of activities for 2012, the “challenge” to host a friendly game simply couldn’t be turned down especially when a guy named Dan Palami makes the offer. Quite logically, if one can host a friendly (on two months’ notice), then everything else is a piece of cake.

The CFA Board of 2012 has now embarked on simple yet productive targets for the next four years and beyond. Among the critical elements was to take care / review of the membership of CFA. How many clubs are out there? How many tournaments can be realistically squeezed into 12 months? How big is the football market to be served? Lo and behold. From the initial recognized members of around 24 to 30 at the 2012 elections, the CFA is now looking at some 70 ballclubs (at least) that are seeking recognition from the body. The list includes schools, community-based clubs, professional organizations, corporate clubs, BPO’s, town-based teams, referees and tournament organizers. This number has grown over the decade and thanks to the Azkals, interest in football has surged by leaps and bounds. We now have kids as young as four years old joining football festivals and tournaments. And don’t count out the not so young ones who still feel like they’re 20 years old and also play competitively, some 20-30 pounds beyond their prime. But that’s football, di ba?

The tournaments scene has been a case of a “happy” problem for the CFA. The calendar looks like a booking sked of a hotel or resort: fully booked! The CFA Board’s calendar started with the CAFC Interclub tournament in May. This was followed by the Barili Football Festival and St. Ignatius Goodwill Games in July, the Milo Little Olympics and San Roque Cup in August, the 3rd Engineer’s Cup in October, CESAFI from September to October, Sun Star Festival in November and the mother of them all, 15th Aboitiz Football Cup from November 2012 to around March 2013. Somewhere in between included the CVIRAA in Dumaguete and the Don Bosco Festival early December. January and February 2013 will be set for the Sinulog Cup (Festival) and Thirsty Cup (Festival). The CIS Cup follows in March and the BRO Nationals in April 2013. Now that’s a loaded calendar and word is that there are more organizers planning to set up football festivals or weekend tournaments somewhere in between. So who said Cebu Football is slow and passive?

Another big thrust is to improve football officiating. For starters, the officials are a splintered lot. Getting them together wasn’t easy, but they’re now on the same page and seeking ways to improve themselves. Again, they aren’t perfect yet but are conducting activities to keep them sharp and competent. Don’t be surprised if and when we’ll produce FIFA-qualified referees soon. Another thrust has been to work with football tournament organizers in establishing a united and harmonious calendar of tournaments. This includes the direction to help organizers come up with better and more exciting tournaments that will help Cebu Football’s stock.

Cebu’s teams have also stepped up. The Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) is a powerhouse in grade school football, winning the Palarong Pambansa 2012. Their high school counterparts were runner-up also in the Palaro. We now have many high school players playing for collegiate teams in Manila. Among the commercial teams, Cebu City Queen City United is a regular fixture in the United Football League (UFL), playing in the second division aside from dominating the Cebu scene. University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) is Cebu’s top collegiate and Under 23 team, while Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) has dominated the high school (Under 17) scene, winning Milo Little Olympics National Finals, CESAFI and CVIRAA titles. DBTC reigns in the younger age groups representing the grassroots level.

That was Cebu Football in 2012. Ironically, it was just a start for the six-month old CFA Board. The bar has been raised. It will go higher. It will be matched. It will be cleared, then set higher again.

Time-out: We wish all of our friends a Blessed Christmas. May we find the Lord and make Him the center of our lives as we celebrate His birthday. >>> You can reach me at [email protected]