By Karren Jay G. Asgar

CPU Football Elementary Boys light up the field as they conquer the Community Cup U10 and U12 in Cambodia.

The CPU Football Elementary Boys were hailed as champions during the Community League in Cambodia (under 10 and under 12 category) held at the Siem Reap, Cambodia, on June 6–7, 2024.

This is the first international tournament of the CPU Football Team (Elementary Boys) outside Iloilo City, according to Rizel James Dean Rafols, head coach. The team’s assistant coaches are Huey Karl Canlas Piao and Fortunato Achille Plagata Cajelo. They also have a scheduled friendly game against players from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and on June 14, they were set to play against Wat Bang Kho School in Thailand.

“I really understand how these very young kids feel; as I always told them, it’s not about winning, but it’s how you play the game of football. We may admit we lack skills and stamina playing with these bigger and tougher opponents, but our biggest advantage is that we have the biggest heart to compete and play football,” Rafols shared in his Facebook post.

The CPU Football team’s achievement serves as a testament to the power of sport to transcend boundaries and unite people from all walks of life through the Central Spirit. At their young age, they inspired Centralian athletes to dream big, to believe in themselves, and to never give up on their goals.