Small Courts, Big Dreams!
With the country’s impressive record at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, an Ilonggo booter is now making a name in the international arena.
From the football capital of the Philippines, Barotac Nuevo’s Nathan Howard Caligdong is now carrying Iloilo football onto the international stage after earning a coveted spot on the Philippine U-15 national team competing from October 24 to 30.
The Grade 10 student of Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School is among 14 promising young footballers selected to represent the country in the international tournament, marking another milestone for the football-loving municipality known for producing outstanding Filipino players.
Caligdong’s inclusion in the national squad underscores Barotac Nuevo’s continuing contribution to Philippine football as the country prepares to test its young talents against opponents from different continents.
Unlike conventional FIFA tournaments, the inaugural competition will accommodate all 211 FIFA member associations without requiring qualification matches, providing emerging football nations an opportunity to compete on the global stage.
PFF president John Anthony Gutierrez emphasized the significance of the tournament in developing the country’s next generation of football stars.
“For our young players, stepping onto a FIFA stage is a very rare opportunity and we intend to make the most of it,” Gutierrez said.
He credited the federation’s grassroots development initiatives and regional football associations for helping identify and nurture promising young athletes.
“When you build a strong pipeline from the grassroots up, moments like this become possible,” he said. “Sending a team shaped by our RFAs and our youth national program to a FIFA World Cup event is proof that our system is working, and it’s only the beginning for these young players.”
For Caligdong, the international assignment presents an opportunity to showcase the football talent cultivated in Barotac Nuevo while gaining valuable experience against some of the world’s emerging young players.IMT Sports
