This ‘Inday Sara’ wants to help young aspiring Davao footballers.
For now, it will have to wait.
Sara Kristine Bantan Eggesvik, the Fil-Norwegian midfielder of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, would like to see herself one day sharing her passion for football with young kids in Davao.
“I would consider doing that in the future. Maybe, it won’t happen now with all the tournaments, camps and training. But I would love to do it some day,” said the 26-year old booter whose mother hails from Bunawan in Davao City.
Eggesvik recently saw action in both the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China and the 2024 Paris Olympic Qualifiers in Perth, Western Australia.
“I appreciate the support of the fans, maraming salamat sa suporta,” she told this writer in an interview shortly after the Filipinas wound up its campaign in the Olympic Qualifiers with a 2-1 record. Despite that, the Filipinas missed out on the bus to Paris due to goal difference.
The Filipinas beat Iran 1-0 on Wednesday to close out its campaign in Perth. They turned back Chinese Taipei 4-1 in their opener before succumbing to a painful 8-0 loss at the hannds of the Matildas of Australia.
Eggesvik fondly recalls her homecoming to Davao City during summertime from her childhood to visit her grandmother and cousins.
“The last time I was there was last summer. I always remember the times we visit my Lola and cousins in Bunawan,” she said.
Eggesvik was born in Bodø, Norway, to a Norwegian father and a Filipino mother from Bunawan in Davao City. Eggesvik credits her older brother for introducing her to football, and she was encouraged to take up the sport after witnessing him play throughout their youth. She regularly visits her maternal relatives in Davao during the holiday season.
“I started playing football when I was 5. My brother introduced me to the sport,” she said.
Eggesvik has represented Norway in international tournaments for the Under-19 ad Under-23 teams before she hooked up with the Philippine team.
