7's FL returns for 6th staging

After two years, the 7's Football League is back! 7's Football League (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--The country's premier seven-a-side football league is back.

The AIA 7's Football League is set for a return on Sunday with its sixth season nationwide.

The 2022 staging, the first amid the COVID-19 pandemic, begins with its usual Sunday habit at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig, where Manila Digger looks to defend the championship against nine other competitive clubs, namely Sino FC, Maharlika Manila, Manila Stars, Spoly FC, Garelli United, Rangers FC Philippines, Middle Beast, En Fuego, and Manhur Fatima.

Also ready for its title defense is Kaya Iloilo, who ruled the women's division the previous season.

Looking to spoil the fun are Manila Digger, Azzuri Verde, Maharlika Manila, Azzurri SC A, Payatas FC, and two teams from Manila Nomads, one simply called the Nomads and the other tagged as the Braves.

Also resuming are the lower tier groups in both the men's and the women's divisions.

“We’ve got 52 youth teams and 46 adult teams playing every Sunday for the 12-week season. That’s 4,000 people who will troop to the McKinley Hill Stadium to play, support and cheer their respective squads. It’s a great way to usher back football after this long pandemic,” said 7's Football League founder and president Anton Del Rosario during the season's online press launch on Friday.

He added that there will be a promotion-relegation format among all the senior team divisions.

Also returning is the Kampeon Cup, where the All-Stars from the Taguig tournament and those from other key cities nationwide.

Unlike the previous edition, in which the Kampeon Cup is being held at the McKinley Hill Stadium, Del Rosario said that it will be held in Visayas this time.

“It will be held in either Bacolod or Cebu,” Del Rosario added.

Also to watch out is the Asia 7's happening next year.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno