MANILA (21 March 2011) – A total of 38 teams have confirmed their participation Philippines Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki National Under-23 Football Championship.
PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. said that the tournament was made possible after the federation entered into an agreement with Suzuki Philippines to hold the event during a signing ceremony held this week at the Football House in Pasig City.
The tournament will be participated by teams from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the National Capital Region. Teams will battle to make the semi-finals of the group stage eliminations, which start on 29 March in Ozamis City.
“We have already agreed on the format, and when the tournament will begin,” said Araneta, who formally received a check worth PPH3.2 million (USD73,000) from Suzuki Philippines president Satoshi Uchida in support of the tournament.
About 18 teams will take part in the Luzon stage, 13 teams will see action in the Mindanao eliminations and five in the Visayas. Two teams will represent the National Capital Region.
Other than to provide competition, the championship will also be used by selectors to pick players for the SEA Games which will be held in Indonesia at the end of the year.
