7s Football League looks to open more opportunities for players

Anton del Rosario, Philam Life 7s football league founder, answers questions from the media during a press conference in Makati on February 6, 2020. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/ CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines—Football has always been on the fringes of Philippine sports with basketball, boxing, and even volleyball taking the bigger chunk of the public’s consciousness.

The beautiful game, though,  has enjoyed a loyal following in the Visayas islands especially in Bacolod, Iloilo, and Cebu.

The sport’s popularity in the provinces is what urged former Philippine Azkal Anton del Rosario to branch out of Metro Manila and extend the reach of the Philam Life 7s Football League, which is now on its fifth season.

“We want to provide an opportunity to all the players and I believe this is the best way to do it,” said del Rosario during the league’s press conference ahead of its fifth season Thursday at Belle and Dragon in Makati.

The season opener will be played simultaneously at McKinley Stadium in Taguig and other venues in Muntinlupa, Clark, Bacolod and Davao on Feb. 9 The Iloilo leg will be on Feb. 15.

A total of 80 teams will play in the opener with 24 in the men’s division, 10 in the women’s cluster, and 48 youth squads.

“This is going to be a very special because we’ve seen growth every season.”

“This season we’re looking to focus a lot of attention on the provinces. A lot of people don’t know but we had provincial legs for two seasons already in Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao.”