The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
An additional 55,000 Filipino children between six and 13 years old are expected to participate in the Kasibulan Grassroots Football Development Program (2015–2017), organized by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) through the financial assistance of state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
Four years ago, Pagcor bankrolled the same program with P20 million in financial aid. This year, the P15-million donation to PFF will cover not only the training expenses of the children who play football, but also the training of 7,200 teacher-coaches who have been supporting the project since June 2015.
Pagcor Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Maricar Bautista said the additional financial support will enable the PFF to expand its reach, especially in far-flung com munities.
“When Pagcor donated P20 million to PFF in 2012, the Kasibulan Grassroots Football Program was able to train 65,774 girls and boys, as well as 10,474 football coach-educators in more than 200 areas in the country. We want to continue this noble endeavor that is why we keep on supporting this program,” Bautista said.
The Kasibulan Grassroots Football Festival is a three-day event that provides teachers the rudiments of football and the process of organizing a tournament. On the last day, 500 students will be invited to participate and play football. The program also provides venues for young football enthusiasts in different parts of the country to develop their agility, skills and passion for football.
“We are hopeful that, through this program, many of these kids will become part of the national team and represent the country in international football tournaments,” Bautista said.
Meanwhile, PFF’s National Grassroots Officer Aquilino Pastoral III said the PFF-Pagcor grassroots football program has been making a great impact on young participants. He said the funding from Pagcor greatly helped them in enticing more individuals to play football.
“Pagcor enabled us to restart this program in 2012, and because of that, other private entities including the international community have also given their support. Lahat naman siguro ng bansa naniniwala na the only way to have a competitive national team is to have a strong grassroots program,” Pastoral said.
Aside from learning how to play football, the kids enrolled in the program also learn the value of discipline. “Some coaches require them to study hard or get good grades so they can join the training,” Pastoral said.