A Visit to The 20th Alaska Football Cup
I was once a soccer mom. My son, Zach was a natural in the sport. He had good control of the ball, do powerful kicks, and even deliver headers even at a young age. Waking up early, being out in the sun, rain or shine, sitting in the hot weather to watch his games was not easy, but it was a joy watching Zach and his teammates play and learn this sport they so loved.Some summers, his brother would join him, and it would double our enjoyment.
Zach has since then moved on to other interests but even now as a teen, we look back on his football days, my days as a soccer mom with fondness, because we know the sport contributed, not only to his physical development as a child but also taught him lessons like determination, discipline and sportsmanship.
Memories flooded in when I was invited to the opening of one of the biggest football events in these times, the 20th Alaska Football Cup Championship.
Young athletes from all over the country converged at the Alabang Country Club to compete in this prestigious sports event.
Here I learned that Alaska Milk Corporation has been committed to hosting and organizing this competition for the past 20 years, and from when it started, it is now a three-day event and considered to be the the biggest and longest running football event for young athletes in the country. It attracts players of all ages, from as young as six years old.The sports development efforts run deep since 1995, with Alaska partnering with one of the foundations of Philippine football, Tomas Lozano, former professional internal football player. Together they created the Alaska Power Camp, which holds training programs during the summer months in Alabang, Fort Bonifacio and various schools in the country. The Camp can be referred to also as the most successful grassroots-development programs in the local football scene.The Alaska Football Cup, held every November since the creation of the camp, is one sports tournament that young players look forward to during the year. To date, it is the biggest amateur football tournament in the country.
The event formally opened with a ceremonial kick showing Alaska Milk President and CEO Fred Uytengsu together with wife Kerri and son Sean (in the middle), along with team Alaska (L-R) led by VP for Marketing Blen Fernando, Sports Development Manager CK Daniolco, and Football Cup Director Tomas Lozado.
“This marks another monumental event for Alaska. We have 410 teams and a total of 6,150 football players together in one venue, all united by their love for football. It is of great pride to witness how the Alaska Sports Program has engaged young athletes into this kind of culture, and how they live by the values inherent in sports,” said Mr. Fred Uytengsu.
School teams and football clubs from all over the Philippines including Masbate, Baguio, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Davao, Palawan, Legaspi, Laguna, Batangas, Bukidnon, Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Ilocos, Bicol, Romblon, Davao Sur, Compostela Valley, Quezon, Cavite, Albay, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Iloilo, Mindoro and Metro Manila.
Seeing the young boys and girls in deep focus, “in the zone” so to speak, was inspiring. The competition harnesses the advocacy to develop Alaska’s “winning form” which trickles from their sport to their personal lives and in effect creates better futures for them and hopefully our country. Alaska is indeed helping us build future champions!At the 20th Alaska Football Cup event, there was a Players' Lounge where they could refuel and refill their energy stores by drinking up some Alaska milk and chocolate milk.
They could even play football video games
or have fun playing some Kooshball
or practice their kicks in the goal station.
I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with the Brightwoods team which hails all the way from Pampanga.
I asked them if I can be their “teammate” for the day and they burst out in giggles. What did that mean?:)Seeing these young girl athletes makes me wish I grew up sporty and makes me want to keep my own daughter in her sport of choice. We all know how our kids nowadays, because of technology and the internet, tend to gravitate towards gadgets and the tendency is for them to stay inactive and sedentary instead of going outdoors and getting active and healthy.It is awesome that Alaska has reinforced this need and has pushed forth these progressive sports programs that have helped hone thousands of children towards sports and fitness through the years. They recognize that a healthy child would not only need to have a balanced and complete nutritional intake, but also needs physical activity. In other words, drinking milk, plus outdoor or active play is a potent combination towards a healthy kid. The bonuses to this whole equation are the numerous benefits of sports in children: determination, hard work, teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, among others.I applaud Alaska for its efforts in this program and hoping for more similar programs for the youth through their programs at PlayPH! As a mom, I look forward to catching and joining more of these programs that will benefit not only my own children but those in the Mommy Mundo community as well!
For more info:Website www.alaskamilk.coAbout the 20th Alaska Football Cup http://www.alaskapowercamp.com/footballFacebook https://www.facebook.com/PlayPH