(Manila, Philippines) The biggest football tournament in the
country was held at the Alabang Country Club after Alaska Milk celebrated two
decades of commitment to the world’s most popular sport with the holding of the
20th Alaska Football Cup at the Alabang Country Club last weekend.
Alaska Milk President and CEO Wilfred Uytengsu said it was a
privilege to hold the biggest and most successful grassroots-development
program in the local football scene even as he recalled the tournament’s modest
start.
“In 1996, we had 350 players and 25 teams. Today in our 20th
anniversary, we held a three-day event in 26 football fields with 6,150 players
in 410 teams. In those 20 years we’ve had 12,159 teams of over 58,000 players
play 13,800 games with over 40,000 goals scored. We’ve come a long way,” said
Uytengsu.
The Alaska CEO praised the dedication of tournament
organizer Tomas Lozano and his role in not only growing the tournament but also
in discovering some of the best football players in the country who eventually
went on to play in the Azkals national football team.
“Over these 20 years we’ve also had the opportunity to have
some really fantastic players participate in the event. We are proud to say
that many in the ranks of the Azkals have come through the Alaska Cup including
Ali Borromeo, Roel Gener Chieffy Caligdong and Amani Aguinaldo,” said Uytengsu.
Alaska Milk encourages sports engagement, as it instills
positive values during the early stages of a child’s life.
“Alaska Football Cup is more than just discovering elite
players. It’s about promoting teamwork, commitment and dedication. We hope that
as players you will keep those characteristics in mind. It’s a privilege to be
here to open the 20th Alaska Cup,” said Uytengsu.
20 years ago, Alaska Milk just wanted something for children
that will complement the basketball program and it became bigger and bigger
over time. Alaska Football Cup is the country’s biggest football event for
young athletes which attracted players of all ages, from as young as six years
old. They gathered in one venue to participate in one of the longest-running
and most successful grassroots-development programs in the local football
scene.
The Alaska Football Cup is the highly anticipated annual
football tournament for today’s young athletes with school teams and football
clubs from all over the Philippines including Masbate, Baguio, Negros
Occidental, Cebu, Davao, Palawan, Legaspi, Laguna, Batangas, Bukidnon,
Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Ilocos, Bicol, Romblon, Davao Sur, Compostela
Valley, Quezon, Cavite, Albay, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Iloilo, Mindoro and Metro
Manila participating.
Football provides an active alternative for children in
place of passive activities such as watching television, surfing the Internet,
or spending too much time on social media. The National Nutrition Survey of the
Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) reported that health issues are
best addressed by adopting an active lifestyle along with healthy diet, and
regular drinking of milk, at least twice daily.
Participating in a sport develops the athletic and social
skills of participants through healthy competition among the same age group,
while it boosts physical and mental development. Furthermore, engaging in
sports instills the values of determination, discipline,
hardwork, teamwork and sportsmanship.
If you want to become an athlete too, join Alaska’s sports
programs - NUTRITION. ACTION. CHAMPION.
For general information about Alaska Milk Corporation visit
www.alaskamilk.com. For general information about the 20th Alaska Football Cup
visit www.alaskapowercamp.com/football; Like us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/PlayPH for updates.
