At A Glance
- Thirty teams composed of 400 players joined the first-ever Alviera Youth Football Cup last Saturday, June 21, at the Alviera Estates in Porac, Pampanga.
By ANGELO CAPARAS
Intern
Thirty teams composed of 400 players joined the first-ever Alviera Youth Football Cup last Saturday, June 21, at the Alviera Estates in Porac, Pampanga.
In partnership with XMPLR, the tournament gathered young athletes from five age brackets in a bid to revive grassroots play, foster camaraderie, and become the ambassadors of sportsmanship on and off the pitch.
XMPLR President Robbie de Vera introduced a unique competition feature — the Green Card — a special recognition given to players who display fairness, respect, and kindness on the pitch.
“We want to honor that by awarding the player and the team with the most green cards, with prizes that are equivalent to the championship itself,” said de Vera.
The Alviera’s international-standard football pitch, which broke ground in March 2025, is aiming for a 100-percent FIFA compliance in terms of size and quality, ensuring that the field is at par with some of the best venues locally.
Aside from the Alviera Youth Football Cup, the venue also aims to host a wide range of sporting events, adding to its roster of amenities that could cater other disciplines.
“We plan to do this on a quarterly basis. What you see now is just the start of the activities, and both the frisbee and football tournaments will be continuing events,” said Rica Balbido, Ayala Land's project development head for Central Luzon.
She also emphasized that the tournament is part of the company's program aimed at making Alviera a top sports and adventure destination.