Street kids test veterans in football

STREET kids being taught how to play football will test their mettle against a tough Baguio Stallions squad in an exhibition game that will kick off the first Vergara-Domogan Street Kids Football Cup on November 27.

With 17 street kids currently enrolled in the program, the tournament aims to gather more street kids in taking up football and at the same time provide them a permanent shelter and a sustainable livelihood program supported by Goshen Land.

And after almost two months of basic football, the street kids’ squad, under coach Aries Bocalan of the Baguio United Football Club, will finally put their skills to test against a seasoned Stallions which recently won the gold medal in the Asian Special Olympic Qualifier.

“These kids have potential kasi during our first week. Makikita mo yung kanilang enthusiasm at the same yung iba sa kanila, eh, may basic knowledge tapos yung iba mabibilis din kaya magandang sign ito para sa team,” said Bocalan during a media briefing.

Although the Stallions are favored to win against their counterpart in the friendly game, members of the street kids football squad are also bent on showing their potential as upcoming football players.

“Mahirap din po yung aming training at kahit siguro baguhan kami eh susubukan din naming manalo,” said 13-year-old Daryl.

“Kung sa talent po siguro kaya naming sumabay pero di rin po kami magpapatalo,” added 16-year-old Edmund.

Seven divisions are set to compete for top honors with trophies for champion, first runner-up, second runner-up and third runner-up will be up for grabs.

Playing dates for the age group competition will be on December 3 for the 8, 10, and 12 under at the Teachers Camp, while the 14 under and the ladies open will be on December 10 at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.

The 16 under boys and girls division will also be played at the Athletic Bowl on December 17, while the men’s open will be played at the Melvin Jones on December 18.

Individual awards (Best Goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker, fair play and MVP) will also be given out in the tournament.

Registration for the men’s open will be at P500, while the ladies open will have it at P300, while the different age group competitions starting from the 8 under up to 16 under for boys and girls will be at P200.

Interested teams and sponsorship inquiries may send e-mail request to baguiounited @gmail.com and nestor_udan @yahoo.com. (Roderick Osis)