The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) congratulates the podium winners and all participants of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa in both elementary and high school divisions held from July 11 to 15 in Cebu.
Quezon City’s Far Eastern University-Diliman won the secondary boys’ championship while Tañon College of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental obtained the silver medal. Finishing with the bronze medal is General Santos City National High School of South Cotabato.
In the elementary boys’ division, the hometown eleven of Don Bosco Technical College-Cebu City topped the podium, followed by runner-up San Vicente Elementary School in Angono, Rizal and third place finisher Barotac Nuevo Elementary School in Iloilo’s famed football capital.
“The players who participated and excelled in this year’s Palaro performed not only for school and hometown pride, but to pursue their passion for football. With PFF providing technical support for Palaro football, we are looking at these kids as future assets of Philippine football and we hope they get more inspired at excelling in the sport with our renewed emphasis on developing the grassroots,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez.
The Palaro had also inaugurated the football girls’ tournament in the secondary division as an exhibition tournament for Cebu-based schools, with Liloan National High-Don Bosco extension winning against Talisay City National High School in the final.
Saint Theresa’s College-Cebu and Buanoy National High School-Balamban finished as semifinalists.
“Through the support of Central Visayas Football Association President (CVFA) Engr. Rodney Orale, and the endorsement of the PFF, we requested for the inclusion of Girls Football in the Secondary Division as an exhibition sport in this year’s Palarong Pambansa. PFF requested the DepEd Palarong Pambansa board, and the board granted the request. Eventually, Girls Futsal in Elementary was also held,” said Department of Education Football Sports Manager for Palarong Pambansa Rufino Arellano.
Arellano added that he is hoping that the Girls Football in the Secondary Division will become a demonstration sports in Palaro 2025 to invigorate girls football in the regions.
“With this step, we will be able to produce more women footballers that will bring pride and honor to our country,” Arellano said.
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