Sports aficionados flocked to the Silliman University ball field in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, for the launching of the Philippine Football Federation Suzuki Cup National Men’s Under 23, yesterday.

Cyril Dofitas, tournament director, said Dumaguete is the venue for the Visayas cluster elimination, participated in by the five provincial teams representing Iloilo, Cebu, Leyte, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

The elimination is part of the process in selecting the players for the national team that will represent the country in the 26th Southeast Asian Games, in Indonesia, next year, he added.

Dick Emperado, competition committee chair, said they are happy that Dumaguete was selected as venue, adding that football events in Dumaguete usually gather a good crowd, showing the awareness and appreciation of Negrenses on the sport.

He added that the holding of national football events will encourage parents to allow children to play football.

A double round robin system will be used in the regional elimination, while the national eliminations, to be contested by 10 teams, will use the home-and-way format, he also said.

Three teams will come from the Visayas, three from Mindanao, and four from the Luzon regions.*MA

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