Saturday, May 10, 2014

Coca-Cola Holds Fourth Football Festival to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Living



People need to stay active to be healthy. Coca-Cola Philippines is committed to promote this via initiatives such as the Coca-Cola Football Festival. The brand recently kicked-off this activity's fourth season at the Alabang Country Club last week. 


Around 230 teams and 3,500 players came from all over the country to compete in 11 different age categories. The venue is very ideal as the league was played simultaneously on 22 football fields and followed a 7A Side Football Format wherein each team is limited to 7 players. Only one team per club or school per division was allowed to join the cup. 

Mr. Guillermo Aponte, President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines expressed that they are very happy with the response that the Coca-Cola Football Festival received in the previous seasons. "Last year, we had about 2,700 players joining us n these fields and now, we're at the 3,500 mark," he shared. "This proves the growing interest of Filipinos in football and it is something Coca-Cola Philippines would like to invest on so that in the long run, we could enjoin more people to take on more active, healthy lifestyles through sports."


Last year's champion teams that took home trophies in various categories included the Green Barons, Miriam College, Xavier Football Club, Roxas Wildcats Football Club, Masbate Football Club, Makati Football Club, De La Salle University, FC Sikat, De La Salle Zobel, Makati FC Elite, and Makati Football School

"Coca-Cola believes that physical activity is requisite to being healthy. Understanding what energy balance is -- that is, calories in, calories out -- means knowing that the calories we take in, whether from a slice of cake or a bottle of Coca-Cola, we should also be able to expend," explained Aponte. "That is the core of our overall program on wellbeing."


Coca-Cola Philippines' commitment towards the promotion of wellbeing is based on a global sustainability framework, which also involves women's economic empowerment and environmental protection.

In fact, the company supports over 280 active healthy living programs in 115 countries to help people make informed choices on food consumption, proper hydration, and the benefits of engaging in various forms of physical activity. In the Philippines, their activities include the Coca-Cola Football Festival, the Red Cross Million Volunteer Run, and the ongoing Coca-Cola PBA Youngsters.


Aponte added that through different programs and initiatives, they try to contribute in providing workable solutions to current issues. "That is our commitment as a Company. At the same time, we also help educate and promote that regular exercise, paired with a sensible, balanced diet is a step closer to having an active, healthy lifestyle."

The Coca-Cola Festival was made possible by collaborations between Coca-Cola Philippines, Powerade, Makati Football Club, Alabang Football School, Alabang Country Club, and the NCR Football Association.


Globally, Coca-Cola has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 1978.  Through the Company's "World's Cup Campaign", it invites everyone to celebrate football as a force for social good.


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