One of the country’s fastest-growing sports is finally making its way into the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi). As more schools and communities embrace pickleball, the collegiate league is opening its doors to the sport for the upcoming season. The move reflects Cesafi’s effort to keep pace with changing sports trends while giving student-athletes more chances to compete. Read on to learn what this means for the league and what other new events are coming this season.
Pickleball Officially Joins the League
Cesafi Commissioner Felix “Boy” Tiukinhoy confirmed that pickleball will become an official sport in this year’s competition. The announcement was made during the sidelines of the unveiling of the official logo for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. While the sport has already been approved, league officials are still working on the final details, including the competition format, playing venue, and whether the event will feature men’s, women’s, or mixed categories.
Competition Will Be Limited to College Athletes
For its first season in Cesafi, pickleball will only be played in the collegiate division. Tiukinhoy said discussions are still ongoing regarding the event categories, but the league has already decided that participation will be limited to college student-athletes. More information is expected to be announced before the official start of the season.
Petanque to Debut as a Demonstration Sport
Aside from pickleball, Cesafi is also introducing petanque as a demonstration sport. Originating from France, petanque is a precision game where players aim to throw metal balls as close as possible to a smaller target ball. The sport has attracted a growing following in Cebu, making it another addition that broadens the league’s sporting calendar.
More Changes Await This Season
The expansion goes beyond traditional sports. Cesafi earlier confirmed that the Cesafi Esports League will now include a regular women’s division for both Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Valorant. The basketball tournament will also welcome two new teams, with San Roque College de Cebu (SRCDC) Greyhounds joining the high school division and the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) Webmasters entering the men’s collegiate division.
Cesafi Continues to Grow
With new sports, additional divisions, and more participating schools, Cesafi continues to widen opportunities for student-athletes across Cebu. The inclusion of pickleball highlights the league’s willingness to embrace emerging sports while keeping its competition relevant to today’s generation of athletes. As preparations continue, schools and fans can expect a busier and more diverse Cesafi season ahead.
