The fourth edition of the Panama City Bowl, a Panamanian flag football tournament, marked the debut for the Cayman Islands national men’s and women’s teams.
Since its inception in 2021, the tournament has grown steadily, evolving from a competition primarily featuring local Panamanian clubs to an international gathering that now attracts elite teams from around the region.
This year’s tournament, which took place over the weekend of 14-16 Nov., featured seven nations – first-time participants Puerto Rico and the Cayman Islands – alongside teams from Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Guatemala and host Panama.
Twenty-one teams took to the field for the championship showdown, with 11 battling in the men’s division and 10 competing for the women’s title.
Both Cayman squads showed their competitive spirit during the pool play on Friday and Saturday, earning spots in the single-elimination playoff bracket on Sunday, the final day of the competition.
The Cayman women were defeated by Panama’s national team, and the Cayman men lost to the local club, Windmakers, resulting in losses for both squads.
Will Peguero, president of the Cayman Islands Flag Football Association, said, “The experience offered more than just competition and travel; it was an opportunity to play the sport we love in a new environment while connecting with Panama’s vibrant flag football community. The country’s rich history and passion for the game created an electric atmosphere that both teams embraced from day one.”
A key highlight of the experience for the national squad was the teams’ first time competing under International Federation of American Football rules.
Peguero, who also holds the role of coach and receiver of the men’s squad, added, “Competing under the IFAF framework holds particular significance, as it represents the sports internationally recognised standard and is directly linked to flag football’s pathway toward Olympic inclusion.”
Reflecting on the tournament, Peguero said, “While the results didn’t go our way, the connections and relationships built during the tournament will no doubt contribute to the continued growth of flag football in both Cayman and Panama.
“The teams return home encouraged and motivated, with valuable experience and a renewed commitment to development and excellence on the international stage.”
The next challenge for Cayman Flag Football is the USA Flag World Championships, scheduled for January 2026, where the national teams will aim to build on the crucial lessons learned from their debut in Panama City.
