Newly-elected Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez vowed to improve development programs even as he stressed that the PFF aims to collaborate with all stakeholders to achieve the goals of his administration.
Gutierrez promised to build on the gains made by former PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, saying that his team will exhaust all means to provide every player in the country a chance to reach their potential.
“Walang maiiwan,” (“No one will be left behind,”) said Gutierrez at his introductory press conference at Studio 300 Makati last Friday.
Joining Gutierrez at the press conference were PFF general secretary Mikhail Torre, Executive Committee member for Luzon, Lovely Tababa, and Freddy Gonzalez and Vincent Santos.
Gonzalez, a former national team member, and Santos, head coach of reigning UAAP champion Far Eastern University, are part of Gutierrez’s transition team.
Gutierrez, who was appointed Bukidnon FA general secretary in early November last year, said his experience as an RFA official as well as discussions with fellow RFAs during the campaign period allowed him to have a clearer perspective on what the Federation needs to work on.
“We plan to have this technical team to come up with a module or a curriculum that we will pass around the country through DepEd (Department of Education) and RFAs (regional football associations) so that people from Tawi-Tawi will have the same training module experience as we have from people in Batanes,” said Gutierrez.
“The coaches, referees, officials… we will keep them up to speed on the training methods.”
Ultimately, Gutierrez said he hopes to close the gap on the rest of the world when it came down to talent development.
“By the end of my term, I wish to have closed the gap between how the Philippines develops its talent against the rest of the world,” he said. “And the only reason our national players are better than local talents is because of the kind of training and development, and the kind of exposure that is accorded to them. And in my administration, that’s the gap that we plan to bridge.”
Gutierrez sees a more collaborative PFF in the next four years as he stressed the importance of the private sector in helping the federation’s programs.
“I would like also to take advantage to invite the private sector to get involved, collaborate with the PFF,” said Gutierrez. “We are open to all, and any suggestions, any collaborations of any kind to help achieve our goals.”
He added: “So spread the word, the PFF is open for business. We want partners to help us reach the goals that we could not reach before and to be able to lead the PFF to bigger things.”