TACLOBAN CITY - 19 January 2019, FundLife International through Football for Life Academy (FFLA) held its first tournament of the year — “Coppa Leyteño.”
The event gathered more than 60 players, forming a total of seven teams from FFLA supported schools and communities. The tournament was organized to promote inclusivity, friendship and respect where teams were composed of players selected based on their commitment, attitude and desire to help others.
The selected players were able to showcase their improved football skills during the tournament where they also received new football kits, thanks to donations of equipment made by Gsd Vianese Calcio, a football community organisation based in Bologna, Italy. The partnership for equipment was made possible by Etienne Digout, a previous Arsenal in the Community Coach who spent three months with FFLA in 2018.
Present during the tournament were FundLife partners from the Department of Education, Mr. Crissvil Villamor (Project Development Officer, Tacloban City Division) and Mr. Rufino Almaden (Teacher/Sports Coordinator, Tanauan School of Craftsmanship and Home Industries.
Meanwhile, the former FFLA coach now teacher Mr. John Rex Acuin gave an inspiring speech to the participants before the start of the program. Current Arsenal in the Community Coaches, Brad and Rachel, were also there to help FFLA’s organizing team where they acted as referees.
Mr. Rufino Almaden (1st from the left) and Mr. Crissvil Villamor (2nd from the left) from Department of Education were present during the tournament.
Eventually, Coppa Leyteño concluded with Team-TSCHI emerging as Champions while Team-Sagkahan NHS transpired as 1st Runners-up while Team San Jose and Anibong finished as Semi-finalists. In total, the following equipment was given to students who earned their invitation, while also serving as a reminder to their peers to keep playing, believing and achieving: 72 - Shorts 13 - Futsal shoes 37 – Jerseys
Congratulations to all the winners and participants, and a huge thank you to our previous Arsenal in the Community Coach Etienne Digout who's in Italy but was able to provide football kits even though he’s on the other side of the world! Thank you also to Arsenal gappers and our FFLA coaches for your hard work in putting this together! Please feel free to tag and share with your friends. #CoppaLeyteño #PlayBelieveAchieve #TeamFFLA (Photos of the winners below.)
Team TSCHI - CHAMPIONS
Team Sagkahan NHS - 1ST RUNNERS-UP
Team San Isidro - FAIR PLAY CHAMPIONS (Special Award)
Team San Jose and Team Anibong - SEMI-FINALISTS