The new "Nuwangs" of Tuguegarao

Thanks to the Philippine Azkals, interest about football has once again been rekindled in this basketball loving country. This growing football popularity, which led to people wanting to learn to play football, has reached all corners of the country including the City of Tuguegarao. The seldom used football field at the Cagayan Sports Complex now has activity in it as young individuals, both old and new to the sport, want to experience what the world calls as the Beautiful Game. This has also led to the organization of a group composing of the best football players the City of Tuguegarao has to offer. They are called Tuguegarao Nuwangs.

Nuwang, which is the Ilocano term for Carabao, is a very fitting monicker for Tuguegarao's football team. Not only are they symbols of strength and perseverance, qualities which the team would like to emulate, the Carabaos also provide the City with its most popular products in Chicharabao, Milk Candy and even in Pancit Batil Patung (Pancit Tuguegarao).

The Tuguegarao Nuwangs was able to display their football skills when they competed in the Nueva Vizacaya Invitational Football Cup held at Saint Mary's University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya last May 19, 2012. This tournament was participated in by teams representing towns from the Cagayan Valley and Cordillera regions like Bayombong and Kalinga. After one whole day of football action, the Nuwangs emerged as champions. The invitational tournament may not be that big to measure the true strength of this team but one thing is for sure, after this tournament, we know that football development in the city is right on track.

Here are some photos: