Foreigners coming despite travel ban

Luring hundreds of international players from 17 countries is no mean feat. In fact, it could already be viewed as an achievement, a masterstroke considering the country is currently reeling from negative feedbacks abroad and only those with flair for the (mis)adventure would perhaps have the temerity to visit this side of the world.

But they’ll be here. All 400 of them. And they will vie not for the money but for pride, prestige and honor in the 16th Nomads International 6-a-side football tournament Nov. 18-19 at the Nomad Sports Club in Merville, Parañaque.

"Actually, they (participants) are even excited to come to the Philippines. In fact, most of them spend three to four more nights after the tournament. This is our way of helping the Philippines project a positive image," said tournament chair Albert Robert.

The tournament has been an annual gathering of expatriates from different countries but this marks the first time that the championship will be getting media mileage as part of the organizers’ effort to help promote not only the sport of football but also the sports club as well.

Two local teams, represented by the Nomad Sports Club, and 30 other squads from Brunei, Canada, China, England, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam will dispute the prestigious Nomads Cup.

The Taipei Animals are the defending champions but out to foil their title-retention bid are a host of teams, including the Philippines’ Nomads squad, whose buildup included stints in various tournaments here, including the Expats league and the NCRAA football tourneys.

Max Abad, a midfielder in the National team, spearheads the Nomads team, which includes players from 11 countries, making the squad an international one. The other local team is the Nomads Braves.

"This tournament also showcases the Nomads Club’s intention to promote soccer here. This country has a lot of potential players and I see no reason why this sport should not be a popular choice of the Filipinos," said Nomads club president Roger Dimmel.

The Nomad Sports Club is a non-profit, non-stock club founded by a group of British expats in 1914 to promote English sports in the country.

The club, situated inside Merville Park in Parañaque and just five minutes from Makati, has proudly becomes the home of SEA Games medalists in lawn bowls. It is also the home of rugby and cricket, two sports rarely played here, and boasts of first-class facilities for individual sports such as tennis, squash, badminton and swimming.

It is also for those who want to relax and enjoy the open air, the good food, beverage and good company that the club offers, not to mention the benefit of being able to watch men and women battling it out on the field.

Now, Nomad’s membership includes all other nationalities, including Filipinos who are offered special rates.

"This club is for everybody. In fact, we offer our facilities to schools tournaments or any other social functions for minimal charge," said club vice president Mike Bristol.

For details, contact tel. nos. 824-7302/822-2471; (fax) 822-2470; or email [email protected]