ECCP Football Cup venue to discover talents

MANILA, Philippines - Former national football team mainstay Armand Del Rosario yesterday said the upcoming European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Football Cup is a good venue to find hidden talents who can play at a higher level.

The eighth installment of the event co-presented by Delimondo will be held tomorrow at the Alabang Country Club in Muntinlupa and will feature a record 50 teams competing under a 7-a-side format.

“Looking at the teams competing, there are a lot of players young enough and potentially skilled enough to earn a spot in football leagues in the country including the United Football League,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario, who now plays for the Loyola Meralco Sparks FC in the UFL, said team scouts can go to the event and check on the competition.

“I was part of the organizing team for the ECCP Football Cup last year and I was impressed by the talent level I saw.  There were players then that if given more exposure and training can compete. I am expecting the same or even deeper talent level this year,” Del Rosario said.

The ECCP Football Cup over the years has disallowed professional players or national team mainstays from being included in team rosters.

The popularity of football in the country skyrocketed since Azkals rose to prominence during their breakthrough performance at the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup.

The ECCP has been supporting grassroots development of football in the country and has been holding annual football competitions in Metro Manila and Cebu.

Aside from Delimondo, other companies supporting the event are 2Go Travel, platinum sponsor; Curves, Milo, Mizuno, and Royal Cargo, event supporters; along with Alegre Beach Resort & Spa, Del Monte, Dive Link, Gold’s Gym, Healthcare Advantage Training Institute, Nurture Spa, Perskindol, Intercare, Rocktape, Total, The Bellevue Manila and Aeromed.