Fundraiser set to support Team Philippines to the Homeless World Cup

Members of Team Philippines to the Homeless World Cup last year. InterAKTV/Ryan Fenix

Team Philippines received a boost in its campaign to travel to this year’s Homeless World Cup in Mexico in October.

KIA Motors Philippines has organized the KIA Cup, a two-day football event on September 1 to 2 at the Alabang Country Club to raise funds for the Team Philippines.

The event will pit 92 teams from various football clubs and schools with age divisions ranging from 10 years old to 18 years old in a tournament on the first day and over 86 adult teams on the second day.

Aside from the tournament, children under 12 years old can also participate in a football clinic conducted by some members of the Philippine national men’s football team. An auction of selected memorabilia of the Azkals will also take place, with the proceeds going to Team Philippines.

The squad’s stint in this year’s Homeless World Cup was earlier reported to be in danger because of lack of funds. Project director Rudy del Rosario said the team still needs all the help it can get. “We are also talking to other possible sponsors,” he told InterAKTV.

Members of previous Philippine teams to the Homeless World Cup have made their mark in local football. Mark Maravilla, who will coach this year’s squad, saw action in the 2010 Brazil edition of the tournament. Other former HWC players have also seen action in the United Football League, such as Janrick Soriano, Abdula and Hammid Pasion, Revect Lagarto, Leopoldo Aragon, Mark Rosales and Lexter Maravilla.

Last year, the Philippines placed 26th out of the 69 nations in the Homeless World Cup, which aims to change the lives of less fortunate children by gathering them in a worldwide football event.

Those interested to participate in the KIA Cup may contact coach Hans-Peter Smit at 09178034367/09189071327 or email at hanspeterv@gmail.com.

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