Mariano Araneta (right), president of the Philippine Football Federation, flashes a big smile as he and lawyer Ed Gastanes relay to sportswriters the praises that PFF got from Fifa, the world governing body of football. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
FIFA commends Philippine Football Federation for successful programs
The president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, was grinning from ear to ear at Friday night’s welcome dinner for the rare two-day FIFA Organizational Review/Leadership Strategic Workshop.
Araneta was elated after Fifa commended PFF for the various programs it has done in the last five years.
The welcome dinner, which was held at the residence of Engr. Ricky Dakay, president of the Cebu Football Association (CFA), was attended by FIFA officials and representatives of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Araneta recalled how FIFA instructed PFF to establish a governing body for football in the country.
At that time, Araneta said there were no structures, no leadership and there was division.
But today, football here in the country is now considered a world-renowned community, Araneta said.
“They are very impressed with our program for the last five years not only for our national team but also the development of football here in the country. Regarding our technical coaching structure, we have more licensed coaches today compared to five years ago where there were only about a dozen,” Araneta said.
Currently, there are 400 C-Licensed coaches, 24 A-Licensed coaches and several hundred B-licensed coaches under PFF’s wing, according to Araneta.
Araneta said that one of his administration’s biggest achievements is transparency when it comes to PFF’s financial system.
Araneta mentioned CFA as one of the big testaments of how the sport has progressed in the country.
“Cebu is very progressive that’s why we come here to Cebu, there is a good governance here in football,” Araneta mentioned.
MORE DEVELOPMENT
Araneta was again given another daunting task by FIFA which is to establish a strong football program solely for the youth.
Despite the strong existing grassroots programs, FIFA still saw the lack of youth development which is highly required to its member nations.
Araneta said they are planning to establish a youth-level program which will be independent from government agencies like Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Education.
“We have to harness grassroots material to develop into youth development with FIFA. FIFA will fund this program to focus on youth,” added Araneta.
FIFA allocates P1.5 million to PFF each year to strengthen its existing football programs.
Another big step FIFA and PFF are making is to create a regional football association within the 33 existing football associations in the country.
Starting on August, CFA will be renamed as the Central Visayas Football Association (CVFA). CVFA is now accepting members from Bohol,
Dumaguete and Siquijor. This will be applied also to other football associations.
He said that this will create a balance within amateur, elite football clubs and football associations in the entire country.
The program will also prepare football associations for a national league.
No schedule has been set for the start of the national competition.
The programs will be discussed during the workshop which is being held at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa where leaders of the 33 football associations are present.
The workshop will end today.