KABUUUNG 300 batang players ang inaasahang makikibahagi sa OMNI Football Cup: Fight to the Finish, sa pagtataguyod ng OMNI Electrical and Lighting, sa Hulyo 13 sa McKinley Hill Stadium sa Taguig City.

“We are in the transition of developing football. I think growing awareness further starts with people seeing quality football matches, just like in basketball or boxing when they see good match-ups or famous personalities. I think that encourages or inspires children and adults to play the game themselves,” pahayag ni Event director Kevin James Olayvar sa kanyang pagbisita sa ‘Usapang Sports’ ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) nitong Huwebes sa National Press Club sa Intramuros.

Iginiit ni Olayvar na misyon ng kanilang grupo na mabigyan ang kabataang Pinoy ng tamang venue para madevelop ang kakayahan sa sports at mapaangat ang football, ngunit asahan din umano ang kompetitibon aksiyon sa dibisyon na tatampukan ng mga collegiate footballers, professionals, gayundin ang mga miyembro ng youth at senior national team.

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“Our first division is open to anyone. And all teams have slots for female players. We expect many top-level players to participate in the OMNI Cup. At the same time, the OMNI Cup also provides a venue for athletes for them to stay in shape for their competitions or clubs,” pahayag ni Olayvar.

Kasama rin niyang dumalo sa lingguhang sports forum na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), Community Basketball Association (CBA), NPC at HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drinks ni Mike Atayde, ang mga opisyal ng OMNIna sina Henry Yang at Albert Alde, gayundin si Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem ng Handball Philippines.

Tampok ang dalawang division na binubuo ng tig-12 koponan. Ang unang OMNI Cup ay ginanap nitong Marso kung saan tinanghal na kampeon ang Suicide Squad Goons sa Division 1, habang ang Kickstart F.C. ang namayani sa Division 2.”My friend and event director Albert Alde reached out to OMNI, saying why don’t we hold a one-day football competition. I joined some of their training camps and saw how diverse the football community is. There were professionals and beginners. Every week, more footballers come and join to play the beautiful game,” sambit ni Yang.

“We at OMNI wanted to give a platform to experience what it is like to play in formal matches with all the hype that comes. We wanted to support team sports and football is one sport that is growing in the Philippines right now.”

Itinataguyod din ang OMNI Cup: Fight to the Finish ng Head and Shoulders Philippines, MADs Essentials: Food for the Skin, Underground Football, and Suicide Squad F.C. at media partners Manila Bulletin, Fox Sports Philippines, at Balita Sports.