By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Thirteen-year-old John Zhian Enario had a moment to remember after becoming part of the Team Philippines that competed in the prestigious Pyrenees Cup held recently in Spain.

Enario, a Grade 8 student at Calvary Baptist Academy and a native of Barangay Miranda in Negros Occidental’s Pontevedra town, was selected by the National Capital Region Football Association to be part of the Philippine delegation.

Despite bowing out in the quarterfinals, the young midfielder left a strong impression on international soil with his tenacity, discipline and heart.

Fondly called “Wonderboy” by his coaches and teammates, Enario became one of the youngest footballers from the country to play in the European tournament, facing elite youth players from across the continent.

Enario’s development as a footballer is credited to his training with the RSG Calvary FC and the Dolphins FC, under the mentorship of Coaches JiAr Gandel and Reggie Miraflor.

Both mentors have been instrumental in honing Enario’s technical abilities while instilling in him the core values of perseverance, humility and sportsmanship.

The young footballer’s journey has already begun to inspire fellow athletes in his hometown and beyond, proving that with determination and the right support system, even players from small communities can make their mark on the global stage./ASC, WDJ