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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently gave PFF the AFC Grassroots Recognition Award for its efforts in developing future players through its grassroots program.
AFC cited PFF for actively organizing football festivals, courses and promotional activities among its member organizations. As incentive, the PFF will be receiving USD 50,000 from the AFC as additional support to further sustain its grassroots development initatives.
“We are very grateful to AFC for this award. The grassroots program is the centerpiece of our football agenda. Through this, we hope to be able to develop numerous talents that can represent our country in the future. The additional support that AFC is providing us will go a long way in our grassroots development efforts,” said PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
Since 2012, the PFF has been implementing a nationwide grassroots development program dubbed as “Kasibulan” through its Member Associations. Various football clinics and festivals have been conducted nationwide in cooperation with the Department of Education. To date, over 150 grassroots courses and festivals have been conducted with 55,000 students introduced to football and given basic training, and 8,600 teacher-instructors trained.
“We thank our Member Associations for their active involvement in the grassroots program. Through their active cooperation, we are able to introduce the beautiful game of football to thousands of Filipino children. AFC’s recognition is a boost in our efforts and motivates us to reach more children in the coming years,” said PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes.
With estimated 14 million school children from ages 6 to 12 in public schools nationwide, PFF is determined to promote football to the grassroots. PFF also sees this program as a way to entice Filipino children to love sports and acquire the right values that football teaches.
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