The
year 2011 has been quite a milestone for Philippine football. The achievements
of the Azkals, Dan Palami’s tireless effort and dedication to the improvement
of the men’s national football team, corporate sponsorship, higher media
profile for the sport and its players, the growing interest in the UFL,
regional and national tournaments, leadership change at the PFF, are some of
the highlights for Philippine football in 2011. To sum it up, football has started
to grow into the consciousness of Filipinos (really about time and long overdue :-D ) Philippine football has attracted
a lot of attention and support for the sport is growing.
This
year promises to be just as significant for Philippine football as well. Elections
for the PFF leadership in November last year resulted in ensuring that
initiatives started in 2011 are to be continued and followed through. The year
will start with a charity match for the victims of typhoon Sendong between
Azkals Alyansya and Spanish Tercera Division club, Internacional de Madrid. Our
national teams, from the senior to the U-levels, will also be very busy this
year. Every opportunity to play and compete, whether a friendly fixture or a
regional or international tournament are being taken advantaged of in 2012. A
good sign and the smart thing to do given the challenge we face in terms of
catching up with teams in our region.
In
addition to the fixtures for the Azkals and its junior teams, the UFL’s two
divisions will also be starting its regular season. Now that’s a lot of
football action for the supporters and fans to look forward to this year.
Of
the various milestones and developments in Philippine football that I have been
referring to in the preceding paragraphs, there is one common underlying thread
that brings it all together – the supporters and the fans. Institutional
reforms, improved training, better technical education, improved
infrastructure, grassroots development, corporate sponsorship, media coverage,
etc. are all essential elements for football’s growth and development in this
country. However, the key to the sustainability and the driving force behind
those elements are the fans and the supporters.
We,
the supporters and fans, are vital to football’s growth. Our interest and avid
support for the sport at all levels is what draws corporate sponsors to invest
in its growth. For those of us with children, we have the opportunity to impart
this passion into our kids. For some parents, it is what motivates us to
support our children’s dreams and aspiration to participate and do well in the
sport. For others, they are driven to help less privileged children learn the
sport and provide them with an opportunity to play. If not to give them an
opportunity to find a way out of their harsh situation, then at the very least
to give them an opportunity to have time to enjoy being a kid and play a game
of football with other kids.
For
the supporters and fans of Philippine football, 2011 had also been a milestone.
We’ve worn the colors of the Azkals with pride. From places as remote as
Mongolia to our home ground at the Rizal stadium, our colors were visibly on
display. We even managed to turn an away friendly in Singapore into a home
match.
More
significantly, we have also started to understand and appreciate the game and
our national team a bit better. It isn’t only about winning; our ability as
supporters and fans to appreciate our team in defeat and realize the challenge
that still lies ahead is a positive development that is good for football’s
growth.
Special
mention should go to Mr. Ebong Joson, the “Blue Haired Fanatic,” and the
Kaholeros. They are showing us the way in this area. We Filipinos are new at
this, we haven’t yet developed a football culture but signs indicate that we
will get there and the Kaholeros are at the forefront of this evolution. How we
eventually develop our own manner of stadium support is the least of our
concerns.
Appreciating
and supporting football is about passion and love for the beautiful game. While
winning is a part of it, it isn’t the be all and end all for a true blooded
football supporter. What is crucial now as we head into 2012 is that we
continue to show up at the stadium to show our support and wear our colors or
to watch the games on television, whether it is the national team or a UFL
club. We can also take this further by becoming involved in the sport’s
grassroots development. It can be as simple as giving your child an opportunity
to learn and appreciate the sport. If he or she already plays the game, then
this entails ensuring that he or she gets every opportunity to play the sport
and train to become better at it. We can also choose to support initiatives of
local communities and organizations that are using the sport as a means of
reaching out and helping out less privileged children.
The
year 2012 beckons at us with plenty of opportunities for us to manifest our
support and love for the game of football. We all have our roles to play, from
the players, their training staff, the PFF and us, the supporters and the fans.
Let’s start this year with the same gusto and enthusiasm as we did in 2011 and
embrace all these opportunities that lie ahead to show to one and all our
strong desire and interest to see football grow in the Philippines. Let’s go
out there and wear our colors with pride.
2012 Moira G Gallaga©
