The PFF Smart National Club Championship Northern Mindanao Eliminations started this morning, October 17, 2012 at the Capitol Grounds in Malaybalay City. It was launched via a press conference held in Green Ridge Hotel last night. I was able to attend the said press conference together with fellow members of the Bukidnon Photographers and Bloggers Society.
Five teams from Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao and Bukidnon are competing in the tournament. It will run for five days, from October 17 to 21. The top two teams will represent the region in the Mindanao eliminations where the top two winners will be sent to compete in the National Championship.
During the press conference, Bukidnon Football Association President Ramon Manlunas also relayed that FIFA, the international governing body of football associations is currently building a world-class football training center in Hagkol, Valencia City. Accordingly, FIFA donated around $500,000 (or 21.7 million pesos) to finance the construction and development of the said football center in a 5-hectare lot donated by the Gamboa Family. It is expected to to be completed in the summer of 2013. Its operation will then be handled by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) through its local counterpart, the Bukidnon Football Association (BUFA).
*Special thanks to Dr. Rachito Abellanosa and Maam Maite Abellanosa for inviting BPBS to the press conference.
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