RP-Malaysia veterans’ football tourney set

ANOTHER regional football event is slated at the Panaad Sports & Recreational Park pitch in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City on October 23-25, 2009.
The event is organized by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), in partnership with the Executive Village Football Club headed by businessman Rafael ‘Junie’ Lizares and co-hosted by Bacolod United Football Club and Real Negrense Football Club.

Billed as the Philippines-Malaysia Veterans Football tournament 2009, the three-day event features the visiting Malay Mail of Malaysia, ERCO Football Club of Cebu City and the two Negros-based sides Bacolod United Football Club and Real Negrense Football Club.
Malay Mail, owned by sports journalist Tony Mariadas, is scheduled to arrive at 4 p.m. Friday, according to tournament coordinator Warren Concepcion who also said the event is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, October 24, 8 a.m. with simple opening ceremonies to be followed at 8:30 a.m. by the opening match between Bacolod United FC and Real Negrense FC.
At 9:15 a.m. it will be the turn of ERCO FC of Cebu to tangle against Malay Mail of Malaysia.
At 10:15 a.m., the participating teams join in the presentation of jerseys and giving out of balls to local ball clubs from selected public elementary and high school ball clubs, to be followed at 11 a.m. by the match between Real Negrense FC and ERCO FC of Cebu.
At 11:45 a.m., it will be Malay Mail against Bacolod United FC.
On Sunday, October 25, at 9:30 a.m., the tournament resumes with Real Negrense FC taking on Malay Mail followed at 10:15 a.m. by the match between BUFC and ERCO Cebu.
At 11 a.m., the participating teams will have a fellowship lunch at the Hinobaan house at Panaad followed by the battle for third and fourth places at 2:30 p.m. and the championship match at 3:30 p.m.
PFF general secretary Cyril Dofitas said the tournament is “only serves as a prelude to bigger regional events among veteran football clubs in the Southeast Asian region starting with the staging next year of a 40-above tournament also at the Panaad venue which is already on the planning stage.
The team managers’ meeting is scheduled on October 23, 4 p.m. at Luxur Place.
All matches in this event will be open to the public for free.

Henry C. Villalva , Sun Star Bacolod