Building the future of football: How local tournaments are fueling national growth

Golazo Futbol Philippines is creating opportunities, competitions, and a long-term pipeline for Filipino football players.

“Everything started because I saw some shortcomings… so I thought of organizing a tournament.”

Instead of waiting for the system to improve, football coach and grassroots advocate Myk Agbayani built his own.

Through Golazo Futbol Philippines, Agbayani isn’t just organizing tournaments, but is also building a grassroots football system designed to grow the sport from the ground up.

Drawing from his experience, he mounted his first tournament at Circuit Makati in 2019, starting with open and mixed categories. “I enjoyed organizing because you bring people together in a venue and enable them to do something they love the most,” he said in a recent interview with radar.ph. “I saw the importance of competitions… every competition should give them a memory they can cherish.”

For Agbayani, tournaments are more than just games, they are essential to development. “This doesn’t only bring people together. They are also able to apply what they’ve learned. We create competitions to develop players… and spread awareness of football in our country,” explained Agbayani, who also founded Nemesis Futbol Academy.

Building more than players

That vision has since expanded beyond Metro Manila. “I’m motivated to organize competitions not only in Manila but nationwide so that we can help the Philippine grassroots football program,” he said.

Golazo’s impact extends beyond athletes. “Golazo helps not only the players but also the coaches—it’s a chain reaction. It also involves referees,” he shared, noting that even local organizers benefit through venue use and community activity.

From kids as young as five to adult divisions, the tournaments are built around inclusivity and growth. “When they lose, they see their weaknesses. When they win, they enjoy the moment,” he said. “It’s not all about winning—it’s more on the development side.”

Taking grassroots global

Golazo is now stepping onto the international stage. On May 7, 2026, it staged its first Fut5al ELBFA International Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, featuring under-11 teams from the Philippines and Australia.

“It was a good experience. We heard positive feedback from the Australian teams,” Agbayani said. “It helps us improve, and maybe bring in more teams from outside to experience Golazo.”

The long-term vision goes beyond sport. “It can also help tourism in our country,” he added. “To bring in people to compete here, while our local players gain experience against international teams.”

He hopes to make such competitions regular—creating an environment where foreign teams return and Filipino players measure their growth on a bigger stage.

A legacy in motion

The journey hasn’t been without challenges. “There was some negative feedback. It’s not 100% positive,” he admitted. “But what pushes me is the 98% positive feedback from teams, parents, and players.”

That impact is evident in player development. “Competitions like Golazo nurture their talent and give them the experience they need to grow,” he said. “We cannot please everyone, but we just have to move forward—keep grinding and keep improving.”