Cavite Football Association, Inc. (CAFA) 2012 -2013 Season is again a banner season for the provincial football association (FA), in fact, CAFA is one of the busiest FA in the country today. Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has been monitoring CAFA’s activities and currently, lots of communications has been shared between the two entities. PFF has invited CAFA in PFF managed tournaments and events including its grass roots programs. CAFA made an impact during PFF Smart Club Mens Championship when its members made an incredible run in the tournament. Flame United Cherifer FC, a CAFA founding member topped its South Central North Luzon Cluster before conquering the Luzon Regionals to qualify to the round of 16. General Trias International FC on the other hand made a Cinderella run at UFL cup and made it to the semi-finals and eventually entered the round of 8 at the PFF Smart Club Nationals. CAFA also sent 2 teams at PFF Regional Festival of Football, a grass roots activities under the kasibulan program. It was hosted by Tarlac Province. CAFA became a proud host of the first Women’s Futsal Cup. Thanks to UPHR-Molino for being the best host in an activity organized by PFF and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). The hosting paved the way for an invitation by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) – PSC Philippine National Games Futsal Tournament where Team CAFA ended 1st Runner-Up to again mark a victorious day for the FA.
Despite of the hectic schedules due to commitments to PFF, POC-PSC organized events, CAFA was able to host and managed its institutionalized tournament for 2012-2013 Season. It has invited hundreds of teams to participate in its tournaments. The Tournament Management Team successfully organized the 2012 CAFA Youth Football League with the Chiefs earning a 3 peat in as many championships it won in the U17 Boy’s Football League. UPHR-Jonelta became the champion of the first 9-a-side Youth Football League B99 category. The tournament was held from October to December in UPHR – Molino Football Field. The 6th Soccer Fiesta was fruitfully staged in the later part of December where it attracted several teams from nearby provinces such as NCR, Batangas, Rizal, and Laguna. There were six categories where Wildcats FC topped the B99 age group while PCU, Army Victory FC, MMXIV FC, and Flame United were champions in B20013,B2001,B96, Girls Open and Mens Open respectively. As the new year 2013 passed, Bacoor United Soccer Squad (BUSS) lead by Coach Rene Comprendio collaborated with CAFA to launch the 1st Bacoor Soccer Show. The said soccer tournament is aimed to converge indigent kids who wants to play soccer and play with mainstream grass roots players. It was a very productive tournament where several players were selected to play for the PFF Regional Festival of Football in Tarlac. UPHR-Las Pinas, Marikina City United and Bacoor Soccer Squad where the Champions in U17 Boys, U13 Boys, U17 Girls, U11 Boys respectively. 7th CAFA Cup Culminated the whole 2012-2013 Season. On its 7th edition, CAFA Cup was able to invite teams all over the NCR and South Luzon. The competition became more challenging and fun to play. BUSS, CSA, ALTAS FC, PCU-D, and Athletico Diliman topped the B98, Girls Open, Men’s Open, B2000, and B1996, B2004, B2002 respectively. The CAFA Cup was again hosted by UPHR-Molino in the second week of March, 2013.
CAFA also collaborated with Intermead Marketing, owner of Cherifer Brand to stage the 4th Edition of Cherifer Cup NCR Leg and NL Leg. Both tournaments were participated by more than 90 to 100 teams all over Luzon. Cherifer has been very supportive to CAFA activities that they also contributed immensely to the success of CAFA in Smart Club Championships.
The Membership
Since 2006, Cavite Football Association had a modest growth. Of the dozen original founder, only six completed the requirements to be regular members in 2006 namely UPHR-Molino, PCU-D, Flame United, Amadeo FC, D’Cup, and SVDPC. Today, it has grown to eleven with Arellano University, General Trias International FC, General Trias FC, Academy of Saint John, Bacoor United Soccer Squad.
Currently, there are 2 active probationary members namely De La Salle Patriots United FC and Immaculate Conception Academy. Their regular membership will be reviewed soon.
There are about 10 Associate members who were with us for a long time. These associate members have contributed a lot in the advancement of CAFA Programs. The Associate members are as follows: IBA, Cheng Hua Athletic Association, DLSU-Lipa, UPHR – Las Pinas, Gli Calciatori, Lions Athletic Association, Roxas Foundation Wild Cats FC, Army Victory, Statefield, and School of St. Mark.
The Challenges
With the busiest season ever; invitation from PFF, PSC-POC, and other groups, plus all the football programs intended by CAFA to its members; the greatest challenge is on the financial side. CAFA hasn’t increased its tournament fees since its formative years but somehow, the management committee was able to come up with ways to cope up with the challenges. To cope up with the ever changing demands in the football landscape, Mancom will have to implement income generating scheme to satisfy its goals. Of the program is to look for sponsors to absorb cost in the associations’ day to day operational requirements. Other ways is to create more activities and tournaments to raise funds for CAFA. Thanks to some sponsors that CAFA was able to survive PFF Smart Club Men’s Championships, PFF Regional Festival of Football, and CAFA shouldered the expenses in the recent the POC-PCS Philippine National Games. The president would like to personally thank Coach Angie Servillon, Coach Ravelo Saluria, and Coach Gony Saluria for managing the funds well and checking the balance in place.
Milestones
For this year, CAFA is proud to partner with World Wild Life Foundation in its pro environment activities. CAFA is also the first PFF probationary member to top SL NL CL cluster and Luzon Regionals in the PFF Smart Mens Club National Championship. First Probationary member to enter to group of 16 and group 0f 8.
Aside from the institutionalized tournaments, CAFA was able to launch the 1st Bacoor Soccer Show which is aimed to connect both indigents and mainstream players. CAFA will also be launching the 1st Habagat Cup which will be the opening tournament for CAFA Season from this year and onwards.
Our facebook likers already passed 600 and our website visitors reaches as high as 100 a day. CAFA will be in twitter soon.
CAFA have several players already chosen in the U16 National Team.
The office of the CAFA President has issued memo that there will be a transporation allowance for every meeting a member attend. This will entice members to attend meetings and contribute to the development of CAFA programs. Such benefit is subject to fund availability.
What Lies Ahead
Our vision for 2013-2014 is to become a regular member of the Philippine Football Federation. PFF has already inquired and monitored our status. After this General Assembly, the office of the CAFA President will collaborate with the General Secretary to comply with their inquiries. So much challenge is ahead of us, but with us being united for the good of CAFA and CAVITE Football, there is no way but to achieve our Mission and Vision.