• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Victorias City in Negros Occidental is set to make history this year as one of the two venues for the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7, that is expected to be participated in by 16 top-tier national teams from around the globe, including the Philippine’s women’s national futsal team.
“This will put Victorias on the historic map. Since this is the inaugural Futsal Women’s World Cup, this will be forever etched in the books,” Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said Feb. 26 at the signing of the hosting agreement between the city, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.
“This partnership…is a leap towards the future of our city, our province, our region, and our country as a premier sporting hub in the Visayas,” Benitez said, adding that the Victorias local government earmarked around P162 million, mostly for the major renovation of the city coliseum, to ensure that it will be up to standards, not only for the futsal competition but also for other sporting events.
This will be a community-driven effort, the mayor said, and cited the tourism draw and economic impact of the prestigious tournament.
“Victorias is excited to host the international delegates – from players, coaches, team managers, tournament officials, futsal enthusiasts – to supporters of each team. We are also excited to share with (them) the rich history and culture of our city and province…(and) to elevate the local experience and the level of the sport we all love to play,” Benitez said.
PFF president John Anthony Gutierrez, who signed the agreement with Benitez, said that, as host, the Philippine team has already been guaranteed a spot in the tournament.
The 15 other teams should qualify in their respective continents, Gutierrez said, adding that three will come from Asia, four from Europe, and four in the Americas, among others. “We expect world number 1 Brazil and world number 2 Spain to qualify.”
He said that despite being guaranteed a spot, the country’s women’s national futsal team, composed of “a healthy mix of locally-developed and foreign-based players”, have also been training hard, competed in the recent AFC qualifiers in Uzbekistan, and will compete, for the first time, in the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup in May in China.
Joyce Gemberva, 17, from Pontevedra town in Negros Occidental, will be in the national futsal team that will compete in China, Gutierrez said.
He said the opening on Nov. 21 up to the semifinals will be held at the Victorias City Coliseum, while the rest of the matches, including the championships, will be at PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Benitez assured full preparation and fervor in hosting the world cup, even with new local leaders at the time of the tournament. “The whole city knows how historic this is and what a great opportunity for Victorias. We are looking forward to a successful hosting…being able to witness the world cup in our own place, in our own province.”
Benitez also signed an agreement with Loyola Football Club (FC) owner Keith Buyco and president Bongbong Roxy Dorlas. The club, which also committed full support to the futsal competition and the development of grassroots football, will now be known as Loyola-Victorias FC.
“We’re not only forming a team but also crafting a legacy. I believe that Victorias and the Loyola FC shared a vision to empower the youth to not only be skilled athletes but to be model citizens exemplifying the values of sportsmanship, integrity, and resilience,” he added.
Also at the signing ceremonies were Jose Miguel Valmayor, president of the Negros Occidental Regional Football Association, some Loyola FC players, Victorias officials, and other football enthusiasts. | CGC
