Cebu team in the UFL

We might soon see a Cebu team in the United Football League (UFL).

I say ‘might’ as the proposal to have a Cebu team was the agenda of a meeting a few nights ago where Santi Araneta of LBC Express presented to a group of Cebu football aficionados his idea of having a team from the Queen City of the South in the UFL.

Personally, I believe we should have a team in the UFL, but then knowing how passionate Cebuanos can be about teams that are associated with us, we cannot also just rush into any opportunity presented as we need to form a strong team.

The UFL cannot truly claim to be the national league unless there is a Cebu team.

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What makes the offer to join the UFL seem very interesting is the fact that the league has been backed by ABC-5, which has dangled an offer that was very hard to refuse.

Then popularity of football, which suddenly surged with the success of the Philippine Azkals, is now giving our players a chance to have a career in the sport.

Among the things we discussed during the meeting was how we have a lull in terms of development. After doing very well in the age group competitions, there is not much to look forward to once the players enter college or after they finish school.

The UFL provides them an opportunity to earn from football as a player and further develop their skills in the world’s number one sport.

I’ll keep you posted on what is going to happen next.

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Once the goals of the people behind the UFL will be realized, we will not only see young players having something to aim for, but also the development of more playing venues for the game.

Right now, we may have fields in Cebu, but none of those being used at present can actually be considered as having met the international standards.

If the Cebu team makes it to the first division of the UFL, we will have to host games, thus the need for a good quality field also becomes a must.

Once the fans will be trooping to the games to cheer for the Cebu team, the politicians and the businessmen would also notice, thus more support would be poured for the game.

This is has been a dream of many football fans and I am happy to say that many of those who are dreaming of such continue to believe that it can happen.

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If you have been waiting for a good time to cheer for our nation’s athletes, head to Plantation Bay Resort and Spa on September 16 to 18 for the Davis Cup tie between the Philippines and Chinese Taipei.

This will be the second time this year that the resort hosts this kind of event and I am sure that if there were some minor hitches encountered during the event last March, these will already be addressed next weekend.

See you at Plantation Bay!

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MILESTONES: I would like to congratulate the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), which is celebrating its silver anniversary tomorrow.

Happy birthday greetings go to Charlie Abellon, Cynthia Judilla, and Leni Ingking, who are turning a year older today.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like Sheena Leigh Alcontin-Go of Toyota, UPHS Alumni Association president Jay-jay Neri, Atty. Ligaya Barcenas, Riva Tambis, Gina Guinto, Victor Corvera, and my cousin Charlie Gaite, who are celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!