SAN CARLOS City – The Iloilo-Guimaras Football Association emerged as one of the country’s top youth football teams after finishing first runner-up in the Under-15 Boys Gold Plate division of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Inter-Center of Development (COD) Tournament held here.
The Iloilo-Guimaras side fought its way to the championship match of the national grassroots competition but eventually bowed to NCRFA A, which secured the division title after prevailing in the final at the SJRI Standard Pitch.
The tournament featured some of the country’s most promising young footballers and served as a key scouting ground for players who may be included in the national team’s development pool.
Teams from different regions competed over two days of matches, with several football associations showcasing their rising talents in the highly competitive youth event.
Host squad NORFA San Carlos also impressed in the tournament, dominating the Under-15 Girls division to claim the championship ahead of Cebu RFA and NCRFA.
In the Under-15 Boys Gold Plate standings, NORFA Bacolod and NORFA San Carlos finished third and fourth, respectively, behind Iloilo-Guimaras FA and champion NCRFA A.
Bukidnon FA, meanwhile, captured the Under-15 Boys Silver Plate crown after defeating Cebu RFA in the final. NCRFA B and Zamboanga FA placed third and fourth.
Aside from determining tournament champions, the competition also served as an opportunity for PFF scouts to identify promising players who could be tapped for the national training pool as part of the federation’s long-term grassroots development program.
The grassroots football tournament was hosted by San Carlos City with the support of local partners and sponsors as part of continuing efforts to strengthen youth football development in the country./PN
