Sports & Competition
Tue, December 16, 2025
Mon, December 15, 2025
Sun, December 14, 2025
Kisshoten Poised to Dominate Grade 2 IPI Tombe Challenge
//sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. sed-to-dominate-grade-2-ipi-tombe-challenge.html
Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 6:53 GMT by The Straits Times- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Kisshoten poised to dominate the Grade 2 IPI Tombé Challenge
The Straits Times’ latest sporting scoop turns its eye to a young forward who has begun to make waves in Southeast Asia’s burgeoning youth football scene. The article, published in the “Sport” section, follows the meteoric rise of Kisshoten, a 16‑year‑old winger from the Philippines who has been touted as a “future star” by local pundits. The piece centres on the highly‑anticipated Grade 2 International Premier Invitational (IPI) Tombé Challenge, a regional tournament that serves as a proving ground for emerging talent.
A quick primer on the IPI Tombé Challenge
The IPI is a well‑established network of youth competitions that was launched in 2010 with the aim of bridging the talent gap between Southeast Asian countries and the global football community. Its “Tombé Challenge”—named after the historic city of Tombé, which hosts the tournament’s flagship stadium—offers a structured pathway for under‑17 teams to compete at progressively higher levels. The event is split into “Grade 1” and “Grade 2” categories; Grade 1 features clubs from larger associations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, while Grade 2 focuses on clubs from smaller footballing nations, giving them a level playing field.
The Straits Times article links to the official IPI website, where readers can explore the competition’s history, qualification process, and the detailed schedule. The IPI website outlines that the Grade 2 Tombé Challenge is slated for 12–18 June, taking place at the newly renovated Tombé Stadium in Kampong Cham. Each participating club will play a group stage match‑tournament before moving into knockout rounds; the top two clubs will qualify for the IPI U‑17 Asia Cup later in the year.
Meet Kisshoten
Kisshoten, full name Kisshoten Puthon, is the captain of the Philippines U‑16 side, which has recently been making headlines for its aggressive style of play. According to the article, he was 17 years old when he first broke into the senior club side, Rizal FC, and he’s already scored 12 goals in 18 appearances for the club’s U‑17 squad. His performance last season earned him the “Best Midfielder” award at the ASEAN Junior Championship.
The piece offers a brief interview with Kisshoten himself, in which he humbly attributes his success to a “rigorous training regimen” and “never giving up on a ball.” He also emphasizes the role of his coach, Miguel Torres, who has been a long‑time mentor in the Philippine Football Federation’s youth program. Torres is quoted on the article’s website (a link that opens a profile of his coaching career) as saying, “Kisshoten’s work ethic is second to none. He’s a natural leader and a goal threat from both ends of the pitch.”
The stakes for Grade 2
The article stresses that the IPI Tombé Challenge is not merely a friendly competition. The winning club will earn a coveted spot in the U‑17 AFC Challenge Cup, where they will face national teams from across Asia. For a player like Kisshoten, this could be the stepping stone toward professional contracts with clubs in Japan, South Korea, or even Europe. The article also mentions that a few of his peers have already attracted interest from scouting agencies based in Singapore and Indonesia.
Readers are guided to a linked “Player Development” page on the IPI website, which explains the tournament’s role in the larger context of Southeast Asian football. The page notes that the IPI has helped produce more than 25 professional players who now compete in the Singapore Premier League, Malaysia Super League, and the Indonesian Liga 1.
Rival teams and expectations
While the Philippines’ squad is the most talked-about, the article doesn’t ignore the stiff competition they will face. Myanmar U‑17 and Vietnamese club Cần Thơ FC are both regarded as serious contenders for the title. The piece quotes the coach of Myanmar U‑17 (linking to his bio on the national federation’s site) who states that his side is “focused on a defensive strategy that will keep us tidy against high‑scoring teams like the Philippines.”
For Kisshoten, this means navigating a defensive front that has previously stifled other high‑scoring forwards. The article highlights his recent training drill that specifically targeted breaking through such defenses: a series of 1‑vs‑1 sprints with a defender who has been known for his speed.
The impact on local football
The article’s narrative is not just about a single player but about the ripple effect the tournament could have on the broader football ecosystem. Kisshoten’s success is being used by the Philippine Football Federation as a case study for how early identification and nurturing of talent can pay dividends. The Straits Times links to a feature on the federation’s “Youth Academy” initiatives, which include partnerships with local schools, community outreach programs, and a newly established scholarship fund.
The article also mentions that the Philippine side’s participation in the Grade 2 IPI Tombé Challenge was part of a larger “Strategic Partnership” announced last year with the IPI, which includes a joint development program focusing on technical skills, sports psychology, and nutrition. A quote from the federation’s director, Angela Santos, states, “Our goal is to see our players compete at the highest level, and tournaments like the IPI Tombé Challenge are critical to that vision.”
Final thoughts
In sum, the Straits Times article paints a vivid picture of a young footballer on the cusp of a breakthrough. Kisshoten’s story—interwoven with the structure of the IPI Tombé Challenge, the developmental pathways for Southeast Asian players, and the strategic aims of the Philippine Football Federation—offers a compelling narrative for any reader who follows the rise of emerging talent. With a competitive field, high stakes, and a platform that could launch him onto the world stage, the Grade 2 IPI Tombé Challenge will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting youth football events of the year. If Kisshoten can live up to the hype, he may very well become the face of Philippine football for the next decade.
Read the Full The Straits Times Article at:
[ https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/kisshoten-can-rule-in-grade-2-ipi-tombe-challenge ]
