MindanaoToday.com | Victorias Mayor gifts re-organized NORFA with brand new turf pitch
By: Jack Biantan
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – The newly organized Negros Occidental Regional Football Association (NORFA) is one lucky local FA as it gets a brand new turf pitch in its few days of existence.
Victorias City, Negros Occidental Mayor Javi Benitez recently broke grounds to the FIFA standard artificial football pitch at the Victorias City National High School.
Victorias City is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Negros Occidental and is the home of Asia’s biggest sugar refinery, the Victorias Milling Company.
VICTORIAS CITY MAYOR
Benitez personally attended the ground breaking ceremony during the 118 Malihaw Festival in the city with ACT-CIS Party list Congressman Erwin Tulfo, Negros Congressman Kiko Benitez, newly elected NORFA President Miggy Valmayor and other government and NORFA officials.
“The first 11-a-side football Pitch in Western Visayas will soon rise here in Victorias City as we celebrate our 118th Malihaw Festival. We achieved another milestone with our groundbreaking ceremony of the Victorias National High School Football Pitch,’’ Benitez said in his Facebook page.
He added that the football pitch will pave way for an enhanced training and competition for the city’s student athletes. “We are looking forward to the bright future of our local sports industry. Congratulations to all of us,” he added.
The local football association then known as Negros Occidental Football Association has been re-organized, and re-named as Negros Occidental Regional Football Association (NORFA). The group has also elected a new set of officers led by newly elected president Jose Miguel ‘Miggy’ Valmayor of San Carlos City,Negros Occidental.
NORFA NEW OFFICERS
Other NORFA officials elected were Vice President, Rene Dofitas, In Charge of Ladies game, Bea Griselda Hilay. Agustine ‘Gus’ Rivas is General Secretary.
Selected as Committee Heads were Keith Buyco (Finance), Tony/Ronald Allan Treyes (Competition), Dennis Estaniel (Referees), Emmanuel Ellis and Julius Viullaranda (Futsal), Alfredo Dioso (Youth Grassroots), Emily Zerrudo (Medical), Nick Pagador (Membership) and Ethics and Integrity (William Clauor).
Completing the NORFA officers are North Cluster In-Charge Pacholo Yuvienco of PCY San Carlos FC, Alfa Sebuja of Sagay FC, Nick Pagador of DBTI Greywolves. Leading the Central Cluster are Norman Fegidero of Ceres Negros FC, William Clamor of Real Negrense FC and completing the South Cluster are Julius Villaranda of Pontevedra FC, and Bonna David of Himamaylan City FC.
Miggy Valmayor said that his primary focus now is unity and implementing sustainable programs to nurture grassroots and youth football initiatives, from amateur to elite levels.
“By the end of my term, I envision a structure within NORFA that can seamlessly continue, creating an ecosystem that ensures self-sustainability for future generations. My Ultimate goal aligns with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) mission to bridge the gap in football player quality between Filipinos trained abroad and those in the Philippines,’’ he said.
He added that through their dedicated efforts, they aim to make football accessible, available, and affordable for the Negros Occidental community, thereby enriching and advancing the sport that may love.
COMMITMENT TO FOOTBALL
Vallmayor also give thanks to Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez and the City of Victorias for their unwavering commitment to football.
“The Victorias pitch stands as a testament to the importance of infrastructure in fostering quality games. I hope this will inspire other Local Government Units (LGU) to consider football as a key sport and emulate this dedication to its development. NORFA will actively support and ensure that Victorias made the best decision in putting up a football pitch the serves as an example for other LGU’s to realize the value of football,’’ he said.
NORFA then known as NOFA was one of the most active FA in the country when Ricky Yanson Jr. was president until he ran for the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president against incumbent Nonong Araneta in 2019 and lost.
Since losing to Araneta, Ricky has become in-active with the FA that was why the youthful Miggy Valmayor, son of former San Carlos City mayor and currently Negros Occidental 1st District Representative Gerardo Valmayor Jr., was willing to help the sport he loves in his home province.
Miggy declared his intention to run as the new NOFA president once the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) gave the red light to hold the election last month. He was elected by football community of Negros Occidental in the presence of also newly elected PFF president John Gutierrez.
Under the guidance of the PFF, Miggy then started to re-organize the Negros Occidental ruling body for football and changed its name from NOFA to NORFA (Negros Occidental Region Football Association). The group also now has a new logo.
Under the new leadership of Valmayor, and with the help of local officials like Javi Benitez, expect NORFA to produce better players and continue to dominate national and local tournaments. (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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