Futsal and a Festival for this year's Aboitiz Cup

Marian with superfriends

A Festival and a futsal event will be some of the new changes when the 9th Aboitiz Cup kicks off on August 28 and 29.

"The sponsors wanted the opening to be grand and festive so we decided to hold a festival for the age groups on the opening day," Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo said.

The Players 6 and the P 8 will play on the opening day while the players 8 -12 will play on the second day according to Maximo, who met with the coaches and players Tuesday night.

The venue is still to be decided between the University of San Carlos Technological Center, Sacred Heart School Jesuit field in Ayala and the San Roque field in Mandaue.

"It's also the thrust of the Philippine Football Federation to hold a festival type for the grass roots level," Maximo said.

For the opening festival, Maximo also plans to invite teams from the Visayas and in Mindanao to join.

"We are planning to hold a festival every month or every two months, depending on the sponsors," he said.

Aside from the festival, CebuFA will also introduce girls football in the high school division and a futsal tournament.

"Hopefully there will be a strong response for the girls because next year there will be a national Under 19 and Under 17 girls championships," he said.

On the other hand, the futsal tourney will determine the Cebu's representative to the national finals in Laguna this December.

Last year, Team Hiroshi earned the right to represent Cebu after winning a local tournament.

"We are also thinking of introducing the 35 and above age group but that will still be discussed because some want it to be 38 and above," Maximo said.