MANILA, PHILIPPINES, June 5 2025 – AIA Philippines, formerly Philam Life and now the local arm of Hong Kong-based insurer AIA, continues to champion football in the country through meaningful partnerships and grassroots initiatives. AIA is proud to be the Principal Global Partner of 2025 Europa League Winners Tottenham Hotspur, and coaches from Tottenham Hotspur supported and teamed up with AIA Philippines and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) as they shone a spotlight on local football talent through the 2025 “AIA Here to Play” tournament.
Held at the all-new Mall of Asia Sky Football Pitch, this one-day competition brought together teams from various local football clubs, who battled for a once-in-a-lifetime experience — a trip to watch the highly anticipated Spurs vs. Arsenal match live in Hong Kong on July 31.
The Here to Play tournament featured 15 teams across men’s and women’s divisions, all competing in a fast-paced 5v5 format. Winning teams Team Success and Tigulang FC team A came out on top, earning their free tickets to Hong Kong to watch the game. In addition, the two tournament MVPs, Jo Niño Ariel Briones Mallen and Marice Magdolot for the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, will meet the Tottenham Hotspur players at an exclusive AIA event.
“It’s inspiring to witness the growing passion for football in the Philippines,” said Adrian New, Director of Football Initiatives, AIA Group.’ The ‘Here to Play’ tournament plays a vital role in nurturing local talent and fostering the next generation of athletes. We hope that experiencing Spurs live on the pitch will ignite even greater ambition and resilience in these young players, encouraging them to pursue their dreams both on and off the field.”
Melissa Henson, Chief Marketing Officer, AIA Philippines, shared similar sentiments, saying, “This is a wonderful opportunity for these athletes to personally witness the sport they love being played at an elite level. It is particularly exciting, as this match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal comes on the tails of the Spurs’ Europa League victory. AIA’s Here to Play reflects our commitment to helping Filipinos embrace a more active and healthier lifestyle. It’s also a powerful way to bring our brand to life in a manner that connects deeply with our communities.”
Beyond the tournament, AIA Philippines supports the PFF through initiatives that strengthen the sport at every level, such as providing free life insurance coverage for the national football team players. Part of this ongoing partnership also includes supporting AIA Football Clinic, an initiative of the AIA Healthiest Schools (AHS) program to raise awareness of the importance of building healthy habits among young Filipinos, and empower them to live Healthier, Longer and Better Lives.
