Manila, Philippines (3 May 2014) – In its ongoing commitment to promote active, healthy living, Coca-Cola Philippines recently kicked-off the fourth season of the Coca-Cola Football Festival at the Alabang Country Club
The league gathered 240 teams or over 3,600 players from all over the country to vie for championships in 11 different age categories. Coca-Cola Football Festival was played on 22 football fields simultaneously and followed a 7A Side Football Format wherein each team is limited to 7 players. Only one team per club or school per division is allowed to join the cup.
“We are very happy with the response that the Coca-Cola Football Festival received in the previous seasons. Last year, we had about 2,700 players joining us on these fields and now we’re at the 3,600 mark. This proves the growing interest of Filipinos in football and it is something Coca-Cola Philippines would like to invest on so that in the long run, we could enjoin more people to take on more active, healthy lifestyles through sports,” said Guillermo Aponte, President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines.
In 2013, teams such as the Green Barons, Miriam College, Xavier Football Club, Roxas Wildcats Football Club, Masbate Football Club, Makati Football Club, De La Salle University, FC Sikat, De La Salle Zobel, Makati FC Elite, and Makati Football School took home the championship trophies in various categories.
The teams who emerged as champions for 2014 were DBosco Garelli (Men’s Open), De La Salle Zobel (Ladies Open), Makati FC/Elite (Boys 10), La Salle GH (Boys 8), Makati FS (Players 6), ABC Stars Naga (Girls 14), Claret FC (Boys 16), Makati FC (Girls 16), Filipinas Dragons (Boys 14), Claret FC (Boys 12), and ABC Stars Naga City (Girls 12).
“Coca-Cola believes that physical
activity is requisite to being healthy. Understanding what energy balance
is—that is calories in, calories out—means knowing that the calories we take
in, whether from a slice of cake or a bottle of Coca-Cola, we should also be
able to expend. That is the core of our overall program on wellbeing,” added
Aponte.
The commitment of Coca-Cola
Philippines towards the promotion of wellbeing is hinged on a global
sustainability framework, which also involves women’s economic empowerment and
environmental protection.
Globally, the Company supports
over 280 active healthy living programs in 115 countries, helping individuals
make informed choices on food consumption, proper hydration, and the benefits
of engaging in different forms of physical activity. Among those done locally
are the Coca-Cola Football Festival, the Red Cross Million Volunteer Run, and
ongoing Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars.
“Through our different programs and initiatives, we try to contribute in providing workable solutions to the current issues of today. That is our commitment as a Company. At the same time, we also help educate and promote that regular exercise, paired with a sensible, balanced diet is a step closer to having an active, healthy lifestyle,” Aponte added.
The Coca-Cola Football Festival is
a collaborative effort between Coca-Cola Philippines, Powerade, Makati Football
Club, Alabang Football School, Alabang Country Club, and the NCR Football
Association.
Internationally, the Coca-Cola Company also has a long-standing
relationship with FIFA since 1974, and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA
World Cup since 1978. Through the Company’s ‘World’s Cup Campaign’, it invites
the world to celebrate football as a force for social good.
