IN another welcome development for women’s football in the country, six teams are set to do battle in the 1st AIA Vitality Kampeon Cup from April 15-16 at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig.
Anton del Rosario, the 7s Football founder and president , is convinced it is high time the distaff side of the seven-a-side football hogged the limelight.
“I’m really excited for the first Women’s Kampeon Cup. Women need a pathway for the sport and more local role models,” Del Rosario, also a former Philippine Azkals defender, said yesterday in the tourney’s press launch via Zoom. “This is where I believe that these ladies representing their cities will be able to step up and be that heroine.
“We’re happy to have six cities participating, but the goal is to get all the major cities from all over the Philippines to participate. That will not only help the women but also the sport of seven-a-side football grow,” he added.
Teams from Batangas, Bonifacio Global City, Cebu, Muntinlupa, Palawan, and Pampanga are seeing action in the inaugural tilt.
The squads will battle in the elimination round in a single round on Saturday. The semifinals will be held the next day, Sunday at 3 o’clock. The battle for third place will be at 5 p.m. and the Women’s Kampeon finals is set at 6 in the evening that will be preceded by the awarding ceremonies.
“AIA Vitality is excited to not just sponsor one but two Kampeon Cups this year. We’re dedicating the first one specifically for women. Personally, I believe that women deserve their time to shine in a male-dominated sport, and the AIA Vitality Women’s Kampeon Cup happening this April 15th will showcase some of the best female teams the country has to offer,” AIA Philippines Head of Health and Wellness Kats Cajucom said.
“This will be the third time we’re having a Kampeon Cup under AIA Vitality, and it’s a fitting continuation because not only does it help us promote our brand purpose of helping people live healthier, longer, and better, but it also highlights AIA Vitality’s dedication to espousing an active lifestyle.”
