LIPA, Batangas –Everything is set for the staging of the 22nd Aboitiz Football Cup, which will be held on Nov.12 to Dec. 10 at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lima Estate, Batangas.

The longest-running grassroots football tournament is back after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Venue will be the Aboitiz Pitch, a leading industrial estate and thriving center of commerce in Batangas.

“The success of the Aboitiz Football Cup has been its grassroots program where kids can fulfill their football dreams as they go up the football pyramid,” said Rely San Agustin, a former national player-turned-organizer.

“With the Aboitiz Football Cup back. this is a healthy sign for the game and staying fit and healthy with life and getting back to a sense of normalcy after the lockdown,” added San Agustin.

The tournament will be held in 14 different categories, namely, mixed 7-under, mixed 9-under, mixed 11-under, mixed 13-under, boys 15-under, boys 17 under, boys 19-under and boys 23-under.

There will be also be a mixed open, men’s open, women’s open, veterans 30-39, veterans 40-49, and 50- and above divisions.

“We saw that opportunity to use this season 5 festival days and additional 3 non-festival days as training sessions for community kids in Malvar (Batangas),” said Clifford Academia, LIMA Estate’s Vice President for Operations.

“This eight-day football clinic provides the community kids a chance to meet and play with some of our successful football players and drive inspiration from their values and experiences,” Academia added.

“Para sa Philippine Air Force, malaking bagay na kasama kami sa Aboitiz Football Cup kung saan kami nag-champion nung 2018,” said PAF playing coach Joebel Bermejo, a member of the Philippines’ breakout Azkals side of 2010.

“Magandang memories para sa amin kasi pagkatapos ng Aboitiz Cup yung ibang players namin nag-retire na.”

Edwin Alobin Jr. will be serving as tournament director.

Former Philippine Azkals member, James Younghusband, will grace the opening ceremony.