Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — On August 9, it’s the ladies’ turn to kick the ball.
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) on Wednesday (August 5) announced that the second edition of the Women’s Invitational Cup is slated to kick off on August 9 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
The PFF invited ten of the best teams in the country to compete for the Women’s Cup. They will be divided into two groups of five, with the top two teams set to duke it out in playoff matches on the way to the finals.
According to tournament director Ernie Nierras, this tournament will serve as a boost for the development of local footballers and the Philippines national team.
“The more games they play, the better they’ll improve,” said Nierras. “For our national team to improve, we need competition. Local competition.”
Apart from support of the local governing body of the sport, the competition also has the backing of Senator Pia Cayetano who was present during the draw for the cup.
She also reminded everyone present that this won’t be the last time we will see the senator “supporting football as policy and in a personal capacity.”
“Whether you like it or not you’ll see me more often,” said the senator.
This is not the first time the Cayetano has supported women’s football.
“Senator Cayetano has been supporting us since 2005, so this is not her first appearance when it comes to women’s football,” said Nierras.
PFF president Nonong Araneta says that Cayetano is at the “forefront of women’s sports.”
“It’s a big thing for football that she is supporting football,” Araneta said.
The PFF Women’s Invitational Cup kicks off on August 9 at 8 a.m. with FEU facing Green Archers United at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
