Coke Go-for-Goal unfolds in two Mindanao venues

The 20th season of multi-awarded sports development program Coke Go-for-Goal under-16 football tournament unwraps in two Mindanao areas—Mabini in Compostela Valley and Tagum City in Davao Norte—tomorrow.

Eleven teams will see action in the Compostela Valley eliminations, while 12 squads will compete in the Tagum City tourney.

Coke Go-for-Goal recently received an Olympism Award from the Philippine Olympic Committee for its tremendous contribution to local sports development. Last January, the Philippine Sportswriters Association conferred on the youth soccerfest a lifetime achievement award.

Sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation and sponsored by Coca-Cola Export Corp., the soccerfest is the longest running privately-funded nationwide sports program here. Last year, it drew the participation of more than 400 schools, including at least 200 from Mindanao.

Gov. Jose Caballero, Maco Mayor Miller Alaba, Mabini Mayor Reynaldo Dayanghirang, PFF president Rene Adad, Coca-Cola Export Corp. external affairs director JB Baylon and Coke Go-for-Goal project director Martin "Jojo" Rodriguez will grace the 9 a.m. opening ceremony at the Mabini Elementary School field in Compostela Valley.

Adad and Baylon will also attend the 2 p.m. rites in Tagum City. Also invited are Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio Jr. and board member Anthony del Rosario.

Defending champions Maco National High (Compostela Valley) and Jose Tuason National High (Tagum City) head the entries.

The other contenders:

Compostela Valley—Anibongan National High, Anisiagan National High, New Letty High, Elizalde National High, Cor Jesu High, Pindasan National High, Mabini National High, Pantukan National High, Bongabon National High and Nabunturan National High.

Tagum—Davao State College of Panabo, Panabo Nationa High, Carmen National High, Sto. Tomas National High, Tagum Municipal High, University of Mindanao, Antonio Floirendo National High, Asuncion National High, Kapaloong National High, Apocon National High and Dujali National High.

The Compostela Valley winner will advance to the all-davao sub-regional finals while the Tagum champion will represent Davao Norte in the all-Davao regional finals.

La Salle Academy of Iligan bagged the national title early this year to become the first champion team from Mindanao.