HUNGRY FOR ACTION IN THIRSTY CUP
A total of 234 teams, 93 out-of-town clubs, to comepte in 15th Thirsty Football Cup
The grandest football festival in Cebu City, Thirsty Football Cup, kicks off its 15th year at the Cebu City Sports Center this weekend.
“It’s quite an emotional feeling to see that this brand has been getting stronger and has lasted this long. I give credit to Charlie (Pages) for starting this, and John (Pages) and his team who picked it up. This is our way to promote a healthy way of living. We are honored to once again host this event this year,” said Pages Holdings Inc. CEO Bunny Pages yesterday.
The Thirsty Football Cup has been an annual fixture in the Cebu football scene. It has drawn a lot of attention from different clubs and schools not only in Cebu City but also in different areas in the country. Though the Thirsty Cup has limited the number of teams this year, from 256 to 234, it has recorded its biggest participation of out-of-town teams of 93 clubs and 17 schools. The visiting clubs come from Samar, Iligan City, Tacloban, Bantayan, Cabalian, Southern Leyte, Ormoc, Baybay, Masbate, Bacolod, San Carlos City, Carcar, Bohol, Iloilo, Talisay, Badian, Maasin, Danao, Gingoog City, Cagayan de Oro, Himamaylan City, Butuan City, Dumaguete, Barotac Nuevo, Roxas City and Capiz.
The Thirsty Football Cup still has 15 divisions – Mix Under-7, Mix Under-9, Mix Under-11, Boys Under-13, Boys Under-15, Girls Under-15, Boys Under-17, Girls Under-17, Boys Under-19, Girls Under-19, Mix Open, Ladies’ Open Men’s Open and 38-and-Above.
Something new this year is the University of the Visayas Pep Squad performing a special cheer dance for the participants and the audience on Saturday and Sunday.
Photography enthusiasts, professionals and amateurs alike, get a chance to showcase their talent in the annual photo contest. The winners will be given cash prizes and their photographs will be displayed in SM Seaside City.
Organizer Neil Montesclaros, who has been with the tournament since the first day, wants to raise the bar higher by giving the Thirsty Football Cup an international flavor in the near future.
“It’s our dream to invite international teams, like youth clubs from Singapore and Hong Kong. But we have to get our head to focus on it. It’s something to explore in the near future. Something next level.”