Efforts in uplifting the beautiful game took a step further after the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) was conferred by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) with the AFC Grassroots Charter – Silver Membership.
The AFC Grassroots Charter is one of AFC’s development programme for Member Associations which aims to raise the quality of grassroots football across the continent. It identifies 20 performance categories namely: Leadership, Planning, Structure, Staffing, Player Programmes, Grassroots Competitions, Fair Play, Finance, Partnerships, Personal Development, Results, Women’s Projects, Social Schemes, Specific Areas, Promotional Activities, Member Association Events, Adult Education, Ambassadors, Communications, and Grassroots Facilities.
In addition to PFF grassroots promotion efforts in the past year, PFF in 2019 conducted the PFF Regional Festival of Football 2019 in cooperation with the various PFF Regional Football Associations which saw a total of 2,200 kids take part in football activities and competitions. Additionally, PFF also conducted the AFC Grassroots Day last May 2019.
PFF’s grassroots initiatives in the past, bannered by the Kasibulan program, resulted in the AFC President Recognition Award in 2014 and 2016.
“This achievement is the fruit of the hard work that PFF has committed in grassroots football,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. “We thank AFC for this honor as we continue to strive in the developing the game throughout the country. This is award inspires each and everyone.”
“We thank the AFC for conferring PFF with the Silver Membership status in the AFC Grassroots Charter,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “Grassroots football has been one of the PFF’s thrusts in promoting the beautiful game which earned the federation the AFC award for grassroots in 2014 and 2016. The Silver Membership is a significant step in ensuring that Grassroots football will continue to pave the way in the development of players and coaches in the country.”
“We share the award with all our Grassroots Development Officers all over the country for their unwavering belief that Grassroots football is the future of Philippine football,” added PFF technical director Aris Caslib. “We hope the award inspires everyone to continue promoting grassroots football in the country.”