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| Seated, L-R: Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Assistant Vice President for Business Enhancement Department Rodem Perez, CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, Bandjag Sports & Leisure Inc. President Renato Ocampo Tayag III, Bandjag Sports & Leisure Inc. Corporate Secretary Antonio Ventura Jr. Standing, L-R: CDC Assistant Vice President for Administration Department Atty. Bonifacio Tarenio Jr., Office of the Vice President for Business Development and Business Enhancement Group (BDBEG) Executive Assistant Atty. Christian Edison Jao, CDC BDBEG Investment Promotions Division (IPD) II Assistant Manager Erwin Pattaui, CDC Tourism Promotions Division Assistant Manager Charisse Lacson, CDC Administration and Finance Group Vice President Jose Miguel de la Rosa, CDC Legal Affairs Group Vice President Atty. Gloria Taruc, CDC Security Services Group Vice President PMGen. Lina Sarmiento (Ret.), CDC IPD II Manager Josielyn Linga, CDC Special Assistant to the President and CEO Ma. Zoraida Camello, CDC Business Development Department Assistant Vice President Thelma Ocampo, CDC Building and Facilities Permits Division Manager Engr. Leoncio Tan, other officers of BDBEG IPD (Image Source: Manila Standard/Clark Development Corporation) |
Pickleball and other racket sport enthusiasts will soon have a dedicated venue in Clark following the signing of a ₱12M (12 million pesos) lease agreement between the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and Bandjag Sports & Leisure Inc. to redevelop a former warehouse into Clark Pickleball+, a purpose-built pickleball and paddle sports facility. CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera and Bandjag Sports & Leisure Inc. President Renato Ocampo Tayag III formalized the 10-year agreement last April 14, 2026 at the Clark Visitors Center.
The project, the first dedicated pickleball facility in the Freeport, will be located at the former Clark Trading Warehouse along Centennial Road, fronting Deco Central. The 8,443-square-meter leased area includes 3,818 square meters of existing structure and 4,625 square meters of open space, allowing for a combination of indoor courts, outdoor areas, and community-oriented amenities. Atty. Devanadera said the development aligns with CDC’s vision of integrating sports, recreation, and lifestyle components into Clark’s growth strategy. She stated, “We are creating a different brand for Clark, where sports, light manufacturing, restaurants, and community spaces come together. Clark is the right place for everybody, and that is why we are pleased that a pickleball facility is finally opening here.” Once completed, Clark Pickleball+ will feature eight public pickleball courts, a central tournament court for competitive play and organized events, and a convertible basketball court that can be transformed into four additional pickleball courts. The facility will also include a private pickleball court, dedicated spaces for table tennis and other paddle sports, a café and pro shop, locker rooms, and flexible multipurpose areas for coaching, training, community events, and corporate activities. Designed to be inclusive and versatile, the venue will cater to beginners, recreational players, and competitive athletes, while also serving as a hub for tournaments, clinics, and group programs.
Architect Gilbert Medina, one of the incorporators of Bandjag Sports & Leisure Inc., said Clark Pickleball+ is envisioned as more than a sports facility, positioning it as a platform for promoting healthy living, community engagement, and sports tourism. Medina shared, “Our goal is to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for everyone, across all ages, while creating a space that brings families and communities together.” The Philippine Pickleball Federation and local sports reports note that pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, has gained steady popularity in the Philippines since its introduction in 2016. Attracting players of all age groups due to its accessibility and its unique blend of elements from tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Once operational, Clark Pickleball+ is expected to serve residents, workers, and visitors in the Freeport, further strengthening Clark’s live-work-play environment and positioning the area as an emerging hub for sports and active lifestyles in Central Luzon.
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Alliance Jiu Jitsu Opens Flagship Academy In Clark
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Clark Development Corporation) |
Alliance Jiu Jitsu, one of the world’s most decorated Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu systems, has officially opened its first flagship academy in Clark, marking another milestone in the Freeport’s growing sports and lifestyle scene. Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera joined shareholder Adrian Salvador and Manila head coach Mark Entrata in leading the opening held last April 18, 2026 at Clark Center Pavilion 06B.
Entrata underscored Clark’s accessibility and rapid development as key reasons for choosing the Freeport as the academy’s expansion site, stating, “Nakita namin yung development dito [sa Clark]. I mean you can see it around and the potential for growth. It’s easy to go around so we really feel that this is the perfect area to really put up something like this. (We saw the development here [in Clark]. You can see the growth potential all around. It’s easy to move around, so we feel this is the perfect place to build something like this.)” The academy offers structured training programs for beginners, enthusiasts, and competitive athletes. Regular classes run Monday to Friday from 5:30 pm to 8:15 pm while Saturday sessions are dedicated to women and children with women’s classes at 9:00-9:45 am and children’s classes at 10:00-10:45 am. Alliance Jiu Jitsu Clark carries the lineage of Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles, a multiple‑time world champion and one of the most respected figures in modern Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu. The system is known for its competition‑tested curriculum, emphasizing technique, leverage, and ground control over sheer strength.
Before its Clark expansion, Alliance Jiu Jitsu established its Philippine presence through its Manila branch at Valle Verde Country Club. Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu, a martial art rooted in Japanese jiu‑jitsu and Judo before being refined in Brazil in the early 20th century, continues to gain popularity worldwide for its emphasis on discipline, resilience, and technical mastery.
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MNL City Run, ABS-CBN Foundation Team Up For Kapamilya Run 2026
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.) |
Gear up and gather your family members, friends, and pets for one of the most exciting and meaningful runs of the year: the Kapamilya Run 2026. Happening on June 14, 2026 (Sunday) at Filinvest City Events Grounds in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, the upcoming run marks the first-ever collaboration between MNL City Run and ABS-CBN Foundation. In partnership with the City of Muntinlupa, the Kapamilya Run will have four categories: 10K, 5K, 3K, and 1K Dog Run.
For 36 years, the ABS-CBN Foundation has been at the heart of every Filipino story. A pillar in public service, the organization takes pride in sustaining five core programs: Sagip Kapamilya (disaster resilience), Bantay Bata (children), Programa Genio (education), Bantay Kalikasan (environment), and GaLing Pamayanan (livelihood). In that same spirit, MNL City Run — managed by Rule and Rich Events Management Services — has built its own legacy of bringing people together for meaningful causes. Since 2019, it has united thousands of runners to champion advocacies that uplift lives, from education and health to shelter and rehabilitation for vulnerable communities. It has since organized nearly 20 events, helping a total of 17 beneficiaries and raising nearly Php2M (2 million pesos) in funds over the years. Teaming up for the Kapamilya Run, the two entities will bring charity to the fore, combining fitness with purpose in a fun-filled event that aims to create impact well beyond the finish line.
Registration is currently ongoing. Runners may sign up online until May 24, 2026 or in person at Festival Mall Alabang (UGF West Wing, Bridgeway Door, in front of Decathlon) until June 7 or while stocks last. An early bird promo, which gives participants a Php100 registration fee discount and a personalized bib, is also available for interested participants until April 30, 2026. Exciting prizes await the top finishers in every race category. For more information, you may visit the Facebook pages of MNL City Run and ABS-CBN Foundation or email ask.mnlcityrun@gmail.com.
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Perfect Match Pickleball Tournament Rallies Players And Partners For A Cause
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN Foundation and Pickleball Hub successfully mounted the Perfect Match Pickleball Tournament, bringing together sport, community, and purpose in a one-day fundraising event. Held last April 12, 2026, the tournament gathered around 100 players who competed in an exciting lineup of doubles matches. The event featured three divisions; The Masters, The Prime, and The Next Gen, catering to different age groups and skill levels. A highlight of the day was the Kapamilya Celebrity Exhibition, exclusive to Kapamilya artists and sponsors.
Among those present were ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director Roberta Lopez Feliciano, Pickleball Hub Co-Founder Rob Henares, and Tournament Director Pardner Azarcon. Kapamilya players who participated included Marc Solis, Tirso Cruz III, Director Andoy Ranay, Cherry Pie Picache, Maika Rivera, Nikki Valdez, and Jervis Manahan. “At the Foundation now, we’re really making an effort to spread awareness about our advocacies, and pickleball is such a popular sport nowadays. So, it’s just a way to get people interested and to know about what we do. We want to do activities that will pull people in,” said Lopez-Feliciano in an interview. Henares added, “Isa sa mga objectives namin dito sa Pickleball Hub is makatulong sa mga Pilipino. And this is our small little way [of doing that]. And since this is a growing sport, we can invite the players [to join] while the proceeds go directly to the Foundation. [One of our objectives here at Pickleball Hub is to help Filipinos. This is our small way of doing that. And since this is a growing sport, we can invite players to join while the proceeds go directly to the Foundation.]”
More than just a competition, the tournament served as a platform to support the Foundation’s key advocacies. Proceeds from the event will benefit programs on child protection and development (Bantay Bata 163), disaster response (Sagip Kapamilya), environmental conservation (Bantay Kalikasan), education initiatives (Programa Genio), and sustainable livelihood efforts (GaLing Pamayanan). Through the Perfect Match Pickleball Tournament, players, partners, and supporters came together for advocacies that help the Filipino people.
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BRAVE CF Returns To Bulgaria On August 1st For Another Historic Event At Burgas Arena
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| (Image Source: BRAVE Combat Federation) |
BRAVE Combat Federation™ (BRAVE CF), the world’s fastest-growing and most global mixed martial arts organization, is set to make its highly anticipated return to Bulgaria on August 1, 2026 as it hosts its next electrifying event at the Burgas Arena in partnership with Bulgarian Fight Agency (BFA). BRAVE CF President Mohammed Shahid stated, “Bulgaria has become a key destination for BRAVE CF in Europe, and we are thrilled to return for another spectacular event. The passion of the fans, the professionalism of our partners at the Bulgarian Fight Agency, and the incredible talent emerging from this region continue to inspire us. We are committed to providing a global platform for Bulgarian athletes while uncovering the next generation of mixed martial arts stars.”
For the third consecutive year, BRAVE CF strengthens its alliance with BFA, reaffirming its commitment to developing the sport in Eastern Europe. The upcoming showcase builds upon a growing legacy in the country, where each visit has elevated the competitive landscape and energized the local scene. The Bahrain-based combat sports promotion first landed in Bulgaria with BRAVE CF 86 in August 2024. That historic debut featured a high-stakes light heavyweight showdown between Algerian veteran Mohamed “L’Ambiance” Said Maalem and hometown hero Atanas Djambazov. Maalem delivered a decisive technical knockout in the third round, silencing the partisan crowd while leaving a lasting mark on Bulgarian fans. The card also highlighted notable local athletes such as Rusi Minev and Pavel Vladev whose performances helped ignite a vibrant atmosphere inside the Burgas Arena. Momentum continued with BRAVE CF 97 in July 2025 once again. The spectacle was anchored by the return of Maalem who faced the dangerous Kaloyan Kolev in a compelling main event clash.
The success of that card further cemented Bulgaria as a recurring stop on BRAVE CF’s European circuit, underscoring the nation’s growing infrastructure and deep reservoir of talent. As anticipation builds for August 1, BRAVE CF’s return to Burgas promises another night of elite competition where rising prospects and established contenders will collide inside the cage, further solidifying Bulgaria’s place on the global MMA map. Bouts for this much-awaited extravaganza will be announced in the coming weeks.
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DAZN Secures Global Broadcast Partnership With Faster Football For A Second Year
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| (Image Source: DAZN Group) |
Faster Football has renewed its global distribution partnership with DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform. Under the agreement, DAZN will stream the Singapore tournament live and free-to-air on its global platform. Faster Football, which was launched as Soccer7Series in 2025, will take place on July 24-26, 2026 at Our Tampines Hub Stadium in Singapore. The 30-hour live broadcast will feature 95 matches across Men’s, Women’s, and Masters competitions with teams from iconic clubs including AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Corinthians, Vasco da Gama, Yokohama F. Marinos, Leicester City, QPR, Coventry City, Hashtag United, Sydney FC, PERSIB and Shanghai Shenhua.
Played in a fast, high-intensity format which is 7-a-side comprising of 7-minute halves on a full-size pitch, Faster Football delivers high octane short-form football for live crowds and digital-first audiences. The agreement includes live coverage across 3 days, delivering highly repeatable and engaging content to fans around the world. DAZN’s global footprint, with availability in more than 200 markets to hundreds of millions of viewers, delivers Faster Football a platform to immediately reach a truly international football audience. Faster Football CEO Dom Lane said, “We are delighted to be announcing the continuation of our partnership with the DAZN. We share a digital-first approach which engages football audiences globally and creates exciting opportunities for brand partners. Our strong relationship with DAZN also allows Faster Football to continue building out our broader multi-platform distribution strategy. That includes YouTube and a network of creator-led co-streamers, and also working with other broadcasters across Asia.”
DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev said, “Faster Football is a great example of how new, high‑energy formats are reshaping the way fans experience sport. DAZN supports innovative competitions and giving them a truly global platform to grow. By bringing Faster Football to fans free‑to‑air in more than 200 markets, we’re helping the tournament expand its audience and unlock new opportunities at scale, while delivering fast-paced, engaging football built for today’s digital‑first fans.” More information and team listings are available at www.faster-football.com.
