The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) congratulated PFF Futsal Department Head Michael Kevin Goco for completing the FIFA Master Programme with a degree in Sports Management in Law following the online commencement ceremony conducted by FIFA last 17 July 2020.
The FIFA Master is a graduate course conducted by FIFA and the Centre International d’Etude du Sports (CIES) to Member Associations staff and stakeholders. The 10-month course is divided into three different modules: Humanities of Sport, Sports Management, and Sports Law with lessons conducted in England and in Italy.
Goco, who has been active with Gawad Kalinga (GK), was endorsed by PFF to be one of the five participants from Asia under the AFC-FIFA Master Scholarship programme.
“The FIFA Master was an incredible once in a lifetime journey that brought together 32 people from across the globe to learn from each other and to specialise in the humanities, management, and legal aspects of sports,” said Goco.
During the course, Goco was exposed to the global sporting landscape. However due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme shifted to online lessons which did not deter his studies, but motivated him culminating in graduating from the programme with honors.
“Our studies in Europe were affected and we had to escape country-wide lockdowns to head home and complete the course virtually across multiple time zones,” added Goco. “To cross the finish line in this manner, given all the logistical challenges that we faced, was both a blessing and a grace.”
PFF officials led by PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. and general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes congratulated Goco on his achievement.
“The FIFA Master Programme is a learning experience that will benefit not only the participant, but also the Member Association,” said Araneta. “We congratulate Kevin Goco on his achievement and wish him all the best in applying all the lessons he learned in the course here in the country.”
“Kevin Goco has been encouraging young Filipinos to be positive role models in their communities through football over the years,” added Gastanes. “The knowledge he acquires from the programme will be helpful in his future endeavours in community programs and in football promotion in the country.”