The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will stage its first youth competition since the onset of the pandemic, the PFF U19 Boys National Championship, which kicks off on 14 May 2022 in Carmona, Cavite and Davao City, Davao del Sur.
With the successful organization of the PFF U15 Boys National Championship in 2019, the PFF saw a proper opportunity to reinvigorate the beautiful game across the country through the U19 competition, which aims to form the core of the Philippine Under-19 National Team that will compete in the AFF U19 Boys Championship 2022 to be held in Indonesia on July 2022
“Our youth players have long been deprived of proper football training and competition due to the pandemic and it is an opportune time for them to showcase their talents on the pitch through the PFF U19 Boys National Championship 2022,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. “We owe it all to our participating teams for their commitment to compete in this tournament as we look forward to see the stars of tomorrow.”
A total of 41 participating teams from PFF member associations and clubs and invited teams have confirmed their participation in the competition which, for the very first time will have two divisions, with a promotion and relegation format being considered to add intense competitiveness in the tournament.
The First Division will be composed of the ten (10) teams that competed in the National Championship Round of the PFF U15 Boys National Championship 2019. The First Division National Group Stage will be held from 14-22 May 2022 with the Final Round scheduled for 02-04 June 2022 at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite. Live-streaming will be available on the final round of the competition.
Meanwhile, the Second Division comprises the remaining 31 participating teams that did not qualify for the PFF U15 Boys National Championship 2019 and are grouped together based on their geographical locations with matches to be played on June 2022. The eight (8) group winners will meet in the National Round, which will see the teams compete for a chance to be promoted into the First Division next season.
“The creation of the First and Second Divisions will allow competitive matchups all throughout the tournament as they battle out for national supremacy,” added PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “We look forward to what the teams will bring in the competition while continuing to adhere with the health and safety protocols.”
PFF U15 Boys National Championship winners National Capital Region FA and U15 runners-up Negros Occidental FA lead the cast of participants in the First Division, while Member Clubs Kaya FC-Iloilo, Stallion Laguna FC, and United City FC make their competitive national debut in the youth scene in the Second Division.
“The staging of the PFF U19 Boys National Championship will spur the growth of youth football across the country and reignite rivalries which will create compelling matches,” said PFL Commissioner and newly-appointed PFF Competitions Head Coco Torre. “We wish all the teams the best luck in the tournament which will gauge the participating team’s performance through sporting merit.”
First Division Groupings
Second Division Groupings
