By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Canberra Buglas Region Girls Under-17 team will headline the Challenge Cup – Mundial Intercontinental Soccer Qualifiers (Visayas Leg) scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, as part of their preparations for upcoming international competitions in San Diego, California.

Following a gold medal performance on December 27, 2025, at the Bago City Soccer Field and Oval, the Canberra Buglas squad — composed of players born in 2010 — asserted its dominance by sweeping four elimination matches in a double round-robin format and blanking Golden FC – Talisay City, 3-0, in the championship match.

Assistant coach Rachelle Beatrize Semillano said the team’s growth has been evident since their campaigns in the 13th Singa Cup in 2023 and the 33rd Kanga Cup, noting the players’ ability to balance academics and high-level training.

International head coach Ludessa Silava from De La Salle University – Integrated School, also a gold medalist coach in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa futsal competition, said the program plans to maximize newer facilities in the Negros Island Region to further develop the Canberra Buglas players and scout additional talent.

The Visayas leg of the Challenge Cup – Mundial is being mounted in coordination with Gardenville United FC Inc.’s 19th anniversary, with backing from the Filipino Canberra Community in Australia./ASC, WDJ