This dream was fulfilled by the Butuan-Agusan Norte Football Association, or BANFA.  Under the leadership of its president, Butuan City Vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun, it organized the 1^st Balangay Futbol Festival.

             An official event in the Balangay Festival activity lineup, the football tournament ran for four days, from May 15 – 18, 2011.  It commenced with an advocacy precursor, Alima Arena, held on Sunday, May 15, 2011.  The members of BANFA converged at the event venue, Butuan City Sports Complex, to sweep it clean of rubbish scattered at the bleachers and all around the field.  BANFA President Fortun set this forerunner so to show to all sports aficionados that a sport venue is a sacred ground to be treated with respect.

             The festival proper officially started on Monday, May 16, 2011, with an opening program conducted by host BANFA.  It was attended by Mr. Vicente Lagnada, a pioneer football player of the city who delivered an inspirational message to the present booters, who belong to 58 teams competing in seven categories, hailing from home city Butuan and various other places, such as Davao City from far south, neighboring Caraga provinces Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte, and westbound Northern Mindanao places, Gingoog City and Malaybalay, Bukidnon.  Following the opening program, the 27 teams from the categories Under 8, Under 13, Under 15, and Under 21 got the ball rolling in their round robins.

            In the afternoon, the excitement burst to a peak as the idolized guests from the Philippine Azkals arrived.  Kim Relucio, 33 and Jerry Barbaso, 23 brought the house down as football participants and enthusiasts, and event spectators went gaga at their presence.  Together with Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr., Vice Mayor and BANFA President Lawrence Fortun, the Azkals spearheaded the kickoff ceremony.  After which, they paraded through the city’s main thoroughfare on a motorcade, to the delight of witnessing locals.

             The teams in categories Under 8 to 21 resumed their games, and headed for playoffs. As the day wrapped up, Gingoog Football Club championed in the Under 8 Category, followed by two kiddy teams, BANFA A and BANFA B, as 1^st Runner-up and 2^nd Runner-up, respectively.  In the Under 13, Gingoog Football Club A came out champion, Gingoog Football Club B 1^st Runner-up, and Father Saturnino Urios University Football Club (FSUU FC) 2^nd Runner-up.  In the Under 15, Diego Silang Football Club (DSFC) took the lead, with Libertad Football Club placing 1^st Runner-up, and FSUU FC 2^nd Runner-up.  Finally, in the Under 21, Gingoog Football Club reigned victorious, followed successively by Bayugan Grains and Libertad Football Club.

            The heat intensified on the second day, May 17, 2011 as the last three categories clashed in the playing field.  Nine teams competed in the Women’s Open, 19 in the Men’s Open, and three in the 35-Up teams. 

            The afternoon playoffs decided on their fates.  The Malaybalay Football Club brought home the bacon in the Women’s Open; followed by the Libertad Football Club as 1^st Runner-Up, and APO Football Club as 2^nd Runner-up.

            Butuan’s own home team and event organizer, BANFA came up to the top in the Men’s Open.  TMS - Davao won 1^st Runner-up, and Malaybalay Football Club 2^nd Runner-up.  BANFA continued its winning streak by championing in the 35-Up, followed by the Gingoog Razkalz Football Club as 1^st Runner-up, and the Barangay Datu Silongan Football Club as 2^nd Runner-up. 

            On the last day, May 18, 2011, the atmosphere relaxed as the event culminated in the morning with the exhibition games between the BANFA and the Surigao del Norte Football Club (SDNFC).   

            By and large, this passionate endeavor to promote local awareness and enthusiasm for the sport of football as a healthy and wholesome diversion turned out a smashing, kicking success.