The year 2022 saw the successful return of domestic football competitions across the country.
A total of 216 football matches was organized by the PFF in a 10-month stretch starting with the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2022, followed by the PFF U19 Boys National Championship 2022 First and Second Divisions, the 2022 matches in the Philippines Football League, and the matches in the recently concluded PFF Women’s Cup.
PFF also hosted the biggest AFF Women Championship 2022 so far, with 11 participating teams, and was won by the Philippine Women’s National Team, the two-day International Friendly Futsal match between the Philippines and Guam, and the two home matches of the Men’s National Team in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 against Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.
PFF officials hailed the return of football competition following the lowered alert level on COVID-19.
“We are delighted that football competitions have returned all over the country,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta. “It is important that we sustain local football growth and momentum for the coming year.”
Several competitions are being lined up for 2023 such as the return of the PFF U15/U16 Boys National Championship alongside with the PFF U18/19 National Championship. These competitions are platforms not only for skills development but also for talent identification in preparation for international tournaments.
An expanded Copa Paulino Alcantara 2023 may also see amateur football clubs competing against the PFL clubs, thus ensuring connection among locally organized football competitions.
“The coming year will bring forth more football age group competitions locally in both men’s and women’s, in addition to organized competitions for senior players. These will benefit local teams and players as well as coaches as the competitions will enable them to hone their football skills and knowledge by playing competitive matches,” added PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes.
