Believing football can provide joy and hope, FIFA (International Football Federation) President Joseph Blatter plans to set up a special football project to promote unity, cultural understanding and peace in Mindanao.
"We need hope and emotion to touch the world especially the poor people. Football is a quintessential team sport which can be a source of passion and joy," said Blatter, 72, who was in the country Saturday to formally open the country’s Football House in Pasig City.
"This special project (Mindanao) will bring the people together and will promote cultural understanding among the children because football can develop discipline and character," added Blatter in a press conference held after the inauguration of the Football House, the 46th of its kind in Asia.
The Football House was built through the $ 400,000 (P18.5 million) grant from the FIFA Goal Project.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Jose Mari Martinez said there are two phases of the Mindanao project – the first is gathering the people from Mindanao to learn football, and second, getting the people specifically from ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) involved in the development of the sport.
Also in attendance during the opening rites of the Football House were Asian Football Federation (AFC) president Mohammed Bin Hammam, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) first vice president Monico Puentevella.
Blatter also urged local football leaders to continue the development of the sport.
"We are always ready to help, but you must also do your homework and start now," Blatter said.
Hammam, for his part, confirmed that the Philippines is now enrolled in AFC’s "Vision Asia," a program aimed at upgrading the Asian football standards among member-countries.
Hammam believes that Asia, with its 3.7 billion population, has the potential to produce many world-class players. His ultimate goal is for an Asian team to win the prestigious FIFA World Cup.
"We will send AFC personnel in the coming months to check and assess the needs of the country," said Hammam, who identified 11 areas that Vision Asia must address if Asian countries are to catch up with their counterparts in Europe and the rest of the world.
Hammam said each member-country should strengthen its associations, marketing, grassroots, coaches’ education, referees, sports medicine, men’s competitions, women’s competitions, futsal, media and fans relation.
The inauguration of the Football House also saw the formal launching of the Filipino Premiere League (FPL), a tournament that seeks to professionalize football in the country.
Blatter and Hamman left for China Saturday afternoon to check the preparations of the football events in the coming Beijing Olympics.
6 comments:
Using sports as a means of bringing peace in a war-torn land is quite possibly one of the greatest ideas I've heard in a long time. I just think that the fighting will continue until these leftists finally realize that violence is not the way in solving their differences and issues.
Whoa. That's a weird idea but a brilliant one. It is just like a UAAP game where students of a certain university becomes one supporting its team. :D
it's a good thing that a new sport is being introduce in the country and hopefully the two phases of the Mindanao project will be successful..
wow. ayos. baka sa sunod, may Goal 3 na, starring Mindanao players. astig. *serious time* its a great idea to use this sport(football), to unite Mindanao kids. This project will also help develop children's character and discipline. It might also create FIFA dreams for the kids, and help them achieve that dream. nice project. Go RP.
good good..tama gyera..laro nlng..wla png mmmty..
haha :)
It is good news.
I don't know the sports well but I hope the soccer could bring a piece to the Mindanao.
In fact, I am from Davao in Mindanao.
But Davao is peaceful.
I heard that Davao is the most peaceful place in the Mindanao.
As my experience I agree.
Whatever, I hope this project will be finish well.
Post a Comment