LALIGA collaborates with GK Sipag Football Club – Sports Interactive Network Philippines

THE GK SIPAG FC U17 women’s football team unveiled their revolutionary new kit design for this season, featuring the LALIGA logo on the front of the shirt. This innovative collaboration, unique across Asia, is part of a solidarity initiative between the Spanish football competition and the NGO Gawad Kalinga for this year’s edition of ‘Ang Liga’, the biggest school football league in the Philippines.

Last season, Gawad Kalinga was honoured at the Heroes Off The Pitch gala, organised by LALIGA in Manila, in the Best Community Project for Football category. This charity event sought to highlight those organisations and activities where football and sport succeeded as a social tool for the community.

PHOTO: LALIGA

A deeper meaning

And as part of the award, LALIGA has taken part in these unique kits for Gawad Kalinga’s U17 women’s team with its newly introduced logo on the front. Additionally, GK Sipag FC will be part of the ‘Ang Liga’ school league for the first time this year. This is a significant leap from a community-based futsal team to competing in 11-a-side football against very experienced and reputable clubs in the country.

Every detail of the beautifully designed kits has a meaning: yellow is the colour of the club and represents hope through sport; there are three ‘hidden’ bees on the jersey representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, projecting the spirit of the club (“We are small, but we can sting”); and finally, there are also three lines of banig representing the unity between communities as an anchor in the formation of values.

And superimposed, the aforementioned LALIGA logo, with the now famous two “Ls” together, reminiscent of the iconic celebration made by Spanish championship footballers sliding down on their knees on the pitch.

PHOTO: LALIGA

A new opportunity awaits GK Sipag FC

With LALIGA’s support, the floodgates are now open for GK Sipag FC as they can now compete in a bigger stage.

“We at GK Sipag FC aim to provide opportunities to our players. While we usually play futsal, we are excited every week to take on this new challenge in an 11-a-side game as a learning opportunity,” explained Marlyn “Bing” Importante, Gawad Kalinga manager.

She added: “Like in our collaboration with LALIGA, the goal is long-term in terms of developing our players. With their support in our quest, they give us courage to face the challenges.”

“Every loss presents an invaluable opportunity for growth and development, and this exposure will be one of the best experiences they will have. ‘SIPAG lang’ (which means hard work will pay off one day).”

Meanwhile, Javier López-Sanz Chulvi, the LALIGA delegate in the Philippines, likewise shared his sentiments.

“We at LALIGA are particularly proud of the Heroes Off The Pitch project in the Philippines, and to see how it has finally materialised in this collaboration with GK Sipag FC is truly inspiring,” he reflected.

He further elaborated saying: “It gives meaning to our steadfast commitment to the development of football around the world. We hope that Gawad Kalinga and GK Sipag FC will meet all the challenges that come their way, both on the field and, above all, off the field.”

PHOTO: LALIGA

Climate Change Awareness Through Soccer

This wasn’t the first time that Gawad Kalinga and LALIGA have partnered with each other for social welfare as they were also involved with another project that also involves the beautiful game.

The NGO Gawad Kalinga is focused on eradicating poverty and restoring human dignity, and aims to help 20,000 barangays through its solidarity platforms. Examples include the project recognised by LALIGA in 2023: “Climate Change Awareness Through Soccer”, which uses football as a tool to educate and spread environmental awareness, and relevant social issues such as gender equality.

The project has brought together more than 100 young people from communities across the Philippines such as Davao de Oro, Sultan Kudarat, Butuan, Palawan, Bohol and Manila.

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