CONFIDENT in the Philippine Azkals’ drive, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has committed P2 million to the national men’s football team trip to the Asian Challenge Cup group stage kicking off in Myanmar on March 21.
"We would like to thank Pagcor for believing in the Filipino booters and funding their stint to Myanmar," said Philippine Football president Mariano Araneta Jr. "This should spur our boys in performing better in Mongolia."
Armed with a 2-0 edge after beating the Blue Wolves last Feb. 9 in Bacolod City, the Azkals need only a draw against their rivals when they tangle anew in Ulan Bator on March 15 to advance to the Asian Challenge Cup group stage.
Should the nationals prevail, they will compete with Bangladesh, Palestine and the host nation in a single-round battle for the top two slots to the regular draw of the Asian Challenge Cup in 2012.
Although the Pinoy booters lost 0-4 to a Japanese collegiate squad in their first tune-up match in freezing conditions in Japan last Wednesday, Araneta said there is no reason to be anxious about their form in Mongolia.
They were scheduled to have another game Tuesday in Gotemba City at the foot of Mount Fuji where temperatures hovered between 0 to 6-degree Celsius over the past week.
"This was the first time they played in this kind of weather and the result was understandable since they are still adjusting," Araneta said.
"I remain confident about our chances in UIan Bator," added Araneta, who is scheduled to leave for Mongolia late Saturday night.
/via Malaya (Bong Pedralvez, 3/11/2011)
Showing posts with label FCC funding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FCC funding. Show all posts
Friday, March 11, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Another windfall in store for Football
Air 21 chairman Bert Lina has pledged P20 million on top of Smart’s P80 million commitment to support the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) over the next 10 years as Azkalmania continues to mesmerize the country in a resurgence of interest in what is called the beautiful game.
Lina and his wife Sylvia were at Panaad to witness the national football team’s 2-0 thrashing of Mongolia in the opener of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup qualifying home-and-away series here Wednesday night. The Linas were among over 20,000 fans who packed the venue in an emotional display of national pride.
Smart Sports director Patrick Gregorio confirmed Lina’s pledge.
“Mr. Lina asked how much is Smart’s commitment and after I replied P80 million, he quickly told me Air21 will join Mr. (Manny) Pangilinan in the effort and promised P20 million to bring the total amount to P100 million,” said Gregorio.
The P80 million war chest will be earmarked for the Azkals’ development program and the creation of a Premier League.
Gregorio explained that the Premier League will not compete with the United Football League (UFL), a two-division circuit now on its third season. “We envision the Premier League to involve only eight teams – the top two finishers of the UFL and the top two teams of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said Gregorio. “We will gather the eight teams and hold a competition to determine the national champion.”
Gregorio said the P80 million budget will not include what Smart plans to spend for merchandising and the UFL.
He said if all parties come to terms, Smart will support three UFL clubs – Kaya of Santi Araneta, Loyola of Randy Roxas and Union of Charlie Cojuangco.
“This is our commitment to Philippine football,” said Gregorio. “We are very serious with this and our chairman Mr. Pangilinan is very excited about it. This is the right time to help Philippine football.”
Gregorio said three other companies in the MVP group will participate in the campaign to establish the Premier League – Meralco, Maynilad and Cignal TV.
The first Challenge Cup saw Tajikistan whip Sri Lanka, 4-0, in the finals for the 2006 title. India crushed Tajikistan, 4-1, in the finals of the second Challenge Cup in 2008. North Korea beat Turkmenistan, 5-4, in a penalty shootout in the finals of the third Challenge Cup last year.
Meanwhile, Azkals team manager Dan Palami said more players are calling to ask if slots are still open for the national squad.
“We’re open to trying out anyone who wants to join,” said Palami. “Chad Gould, for instance, has communicated with me. I recall he played with the national team under former coach Des Bulpin. When I watched Chad play, he didn’t seem to be in shape. We’ll take another look at him and give him a chance. All others are welcome to try out. I’m expecting a lot more interest now with the Azkals’ rising popularity.”
Former PFF president Johnny Romualdez said he couldn’t be happier with the result of last Wednesday’s match. “We played well but give credit to Mongolia for its tough defense,” said Romualdez. “This was a big victory for Philippine football.”
At Panaad, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Maranon and City Mayor Bing Leonardia assisted PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. in traditional pre-game ceremonies where they shook hands with players from both sides. Leonardia provided traffic enforcers, garbage disposal units, a fire truck and two ambulances for the event. He also waived a 30 percent amusement tax that would’ve been charged by the city government.
Rep. Alby Benitez sponsored a fireworks display at the end of the match. He said the plan to touch off the fireworks before the match was scuttled because it would’ve been anti-climatic and a distraction.
/via Philippine Star (by Joaquin Henson, Feb-12-2011)
Lina and his wife Sylvia were at Panaad to witness the national football team’s 2-0 thrashing of Mongolia in the opener of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup qualifying home-and-away series here Wednesday night. The Linas were among over 20,000 fans who packed the venue in an emotional display of national pride.
Smart Sports director Patrick Gregorio confirmed Lina’s pledge.
“Mr. Lina asked how much is Smart’s commitment and after I replied P80 million, he quickly told me Air21 will join Mr. (Manny) Pangilinan in the effort and promised P20 million to bring the total amount to P100 million,” said Gregorio.
The P80 million war chest will be earmarked for the Azkals’ development program and the creation of a Premier League.
Gregorio explained that the Premier League will not compete with the United Football League (UFL), a two-division circuit now on its third season. “We envision the Premier League to involve only eight teams – the top two finishers of the UFL and the top two teams of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said Gregorio. “We will gather the eight teams and hold a competition to determine the national champion.”
Gregorio said the P80 million budget will not include what Smart plans to spend for merchandising and the UFL.
He said if all parties come to terms, Smart will support three UFL clubs – Kaya of Santi Araneta, Loyola of Randy Roxas and Union of Charlie Cojuangco.
“This is our commitment to Philippine football,” said Gregorio. “We are very serious with this and our chairman Mr. Pangilinan is very excited about it. This is the right time to help Philippine football.”
Gregorio said three other companies in the MVP group will participate in the campaign to establish the Premier League – Meralco, Maynilad and Cignal TV.
The Azkals will play Mongolia in the closer of their two-game series in Ulan Bator on March 15. If the Philippines prevails, it will join Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh in Group A of the 16-team Challenge Cup so-called “group stage” set March 20-31. Other countries in the competition are Group B – Pakistan, India, Turkmenistan and the Chinese Taipei/Laos winner, Group C – defending champion Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Bhutan/Afghanistan winner and Group D – Tajikistan, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan and the Cambodia/Macau winner. The top two teams in each group advance to the eight-team finals where the champion earns a ticket to the Asian Cup.
The Challenge Cup is a tournament conceptualized by the AFC in 2006 for the lowest category of member countries – the “emerging” nations. But in this year’s Challenge Cup, there are entries in the higher categories of “developed” nations (DPRK or North Korea) and “developing” nations (India, Maldives, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan).
The first Challenge Cup saw Tajikistan whip Sri Lanka, 4-0, in the finals for the 2006 title. India crushed Tajikistan, 4-1, in the finals of the second Challenge Cup in 2008. North Korea beat Turkmenistan, 5-4, in a penalty shootout in the finals of the third Challenge Cup last year.
Meanwhile, Azkals team manager Dan Palami said more players are calling to ask if slots are still open for the national squad.
“We’re open to trying out anyone who wants to join,” said Palami. “Chad Gould, for instance, has communicated with me. I recall he played with the national team under former coach Des Bulpin. When I watched Chad play, he didn’t seem to be in shape. We’ll take another look at him and give him a chance. All others are welcome to try out. I’m expecting a lot more interest now with the Azkals’ rising popularity.”
Former PFF president Johnny Romualdez said he couldn’t be happier with the result of last Wednesday’s match. “We played well but give credit to Mongolia for its tough defense,” said Romualdez. “This was a big victory for Philippine football.”
At Panaad, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Maranon and City Mayor Bing Leonardia assisted PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. in traditional pre-game ceremonies where they shook hands with players from both sides. Leonardia provided traffic enforcers, garbage disposal units, a fire truck and two ambulances for the event. He also waived a 30 percent amusement tax that would’ve been charged by the city government.
Rep. Alby Benitez sponsored a fireworks display at the end of the match. He said the plan to touch off the fireworks before the match was scuttled because it would’ve been anti-climatic and a distraction.
/via Philippine Star (by Joaquin Henson, Feb-12-2011)
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