All set for PFF Under 22 Group tournament in Surigao City

There's a silver lining every time there is a power interruption. It forces me to go out and photo walk. 

Yesterday, I was led into the Surigao del Norte Grandstand to look into the preparations for the forthcoming Philippine Football Federation Under 22 Group Competitions which will be hosted by Surigao City from November 24-29, 2015. 

So far, so good. The pitch was prepared and the boys are doing their final practices and training before the competitions.  I also had a chance to talk to Atty. Jerry Centro, a ranking Surigao del Norte FA official and a footballer himself.  

Lawnmower men are preparing the pitch for the competitions

Atty Centro revealed to Midlifescape that everything is set for the competitions this coming Tuesday, November 24.  A sad development however is that Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental FA or CMOFA have backed out from the competitions due to its difficulty assembling a team. According to his counterpart in CMOFA, most of its Under 22 players are now plying their skills either in Cebu or Metro Manila. 

On the other hand, the Butuan-Agusan del Norte FA is also doubtful as its representative, no less than Congressman Lawrence Fortun, failed to show up during the PFF convention in Manila early this month. Still, Atty. Centro is hopeful that Butuan-Agusan del Norte will make it in time for the competitions. 

Should Butuan-Agusan del Norte FA could not make it, that will only leave three teams competing, the Iligan FA, the Bukidnon FA and the Surigao del Norte FA. 

On the other hand, Centro said that as for the Surigao del Norte FA, it tapped also players from Tandag, Surigao del Sur. Surigao del Sur has no FA and usually, its players join Agusan del Sur FA in the Davao Region group. Since the Surigao del Sur players were not included in the Agusan del Sur lineup in the current competition, it became prudent for the Surigao del Norte FA to tap players from Surigao del Sur. As a result, half of the players who will be suiting up for Surigao del Norte FA will be coming from Tandag, Surigao del Sur. That makes imperative for Atty. Centro and the rest of the Surigao del Norte FA to dub the current team as "One Surigao." 

Surigao FA players made their final trainings and practices

Atty. Centro also disclosed that the planned National Football League is on track come 2017, as proposed and envisioned by Azkal Manager and Leyte FA President Dan Palami. It will be a nationwide, province based league which aims to develop and promote grassroots football program in the country. It also intended to bring football closer to the masses, where basketball has become a religion in this country. 

The Number 1 in the PFF group stage will proceed to Bacolod City to compete the last 8 to determine the national PFF Under 22 Champions come February 2016. 

As Surigaonons, let us watch the tournament and support our "One Surigao" football team.