By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Youth League (BYL) and the Bacolod Football League (BFL) have formalized a joint effort to run the Champions League Central Cluster, bringing together 25 teams across three age-group divisions for the upcoming qualifiers.

The partnership was announced following a Central Cluster Match Coordination Meeting attended by clubs from Bacolod and nearby areas.

Organizers said the collaboration is intended to standardize registration, prevent players from joining multiple leagues at the same time, and improve the overall level of competition.

All participating teams are required to undergo the mandatory Negros Occidental Regional Football Association screening on February 14 to 15 in Bacolod City, with the exact venue to be announced.

Under the “No Screening, No Play” policy, players must appear in person and present original birth certificates and school records.

U13 (Born 2013-2014)

Twelve teams entered the youngest and largest bracket: University of St. La Salle (USLS) – Bacolod, St. Scholastica’s Academy, Trinity Christian School, St. John’s Institute, Education Training Center School, AMES FC, Legacy FC, Bata FC, Jesusa FC, Forza Negros, 6100 First Touch, and Bata Tigers.

U15 (Born 2011-2012)

Eight teams will compete in the U15 division: University of St. La Salle, University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos (UNO-R), St. John’s Institute, St. Scholastica’s Academy, Trinity Christian School, Bacolod United FC, Buklod FC, and Legacy FC.

U17 (Born 2009-2010)

Five teams are entered in the oldest bracket: UNO-R, USLS, STI – West Negros University, Bacolod United FC, and Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod.

League officials said the unified structure will help ensure that all players are properly registered under one system as Bacolod prepares to host major sporting events later this year, including the Negros Island Regional Athletic Association and Batang Pinoy competitions./CJ, WDJ