The Filipino Football Story – 11August19
Football came to the Philippines at a similar time to many of the traditional footballing powers. But for over a hundred years, since the United States replaced Spain as the nation’s colonial rulers, the game has been eclipsed by other sports. But now, with the help of FIFA’s Goal Programme, the beautiful game is set for a revival.
Football had been the most popular sport in the last 50 years of the 400-year Spanish rule over the island nation. But when the States took over, the decidedly American fixation with basketball seeped into the sporting pores of the Philippines and remained in its marrow for the better part of a century, even after the Americans left following the Second World War.
As a sport, football was marginalised, overlooked by commercial sponsors and ignored by the government. Football languished in basketball’s shadow throughout the 20th century.
A century’s worth of neglect appeared set for major amendment on 17 March, 2003, when a FIFA Goal project was officially inaugurated in the city of Barotac Nuevo, situated in the province of Ilo-Ilo, an hourโs flight north of the capital Manila. There on a three-hectare expanse of land, a National Training Centre for football and a grass field laid under the Phillipinesโ Goal project was officially presented to the people in a ceremony attended by FIFA and Philippine Football Federation (PFF) officials.
The guest of honour at the ceremony was Mohamed Bin Hammam, Chairman of the FIFA Goal Bureau and President of the Asian Football Confederation. He was accompanied by an entourage of Asean Football Federation (AFF) council members. Leading the host delegation was Neil Tupas, Governor of Ilo-Ilo, Pedro Hautea, Mayor of Barotac Nuevo, and Rene Adad, President of the PFF.
The colourful opening ceremony was spiced up by a cultural dance troupe, a police band, and scores of boys and girls in full football kit. Speeches by local dignitaries were followed by a much-anticipated address by Mohamed Bin Hammam in which he stressed FIFAโs desire to see football flourish among the 80 million inhabitants of the Philippines.
He remarked that the National Training Centre in Ilo-Ilo would act as the prototype of football training centres in five other regions of the far-flung island nation that are currently under construction with FIFA’s help. As he spoke, the news that Alfredo Gonzalez, currently the top striker in the national team, had been signed by a professional club in Vietnam was making the rounds in national football circles. Gonzalez’s example is certain to be an inspiration to other Filipino aspirants and a spur to PFF administrators.
The PFF President, in his speech, stated that football would not be the same after the opening of the training centre and hoped that the football family would benefit greatly from it. He assured Mohamed Bin Hammam that the training centre would be fully utilised to create a pool of quality players who can raise the performance of the national team to a higher level of prominence.
Selected for special commendation at the ceremony in Ilo-Ilo was local magnate Emmanuel Gemora who donated the three-hectare plot of land on which the National Training Centre now stands. He donated the land to the Barotac Nuevo Municipality that then leased the land to the PFF on a long-term basis. Mohamed Bin Hammam presented a FIFA souvenir medal to Gemora.
The day following the ceremony in Ilo-Ilo, Mohamed Bin Hammam, Rene Adad and key PFF officials met in Manila with Senator Jose Lina, Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government of the Philippines, to obtain a commitment from the Philippine Government that they would assist in the launch of a football league for the PFF.
Source: http://www.azkals-philippinesfootball.com/philippines-football-history-fixtures-stories.php
With new golf courses springing up in and around Clark Philippines and an ever-increasing patronage by tourists from neighboring South Korea, Clark Freeport is short on hotel accommodation.
Even with the addition of 27 holes in 2009 and 2010, there is an acute shortage golf tee times for at least 5-6 months each year. Local players compete with frustrated (golf) tourists from Korea and China for tee times. Unfortunately Clark Philippines doesnโt have the luxury of vast tracts of land suitable for this type of development.
Mimosa offers 36 holes of championship golf, visitors can pay and play, busy during the weekends but not that difficult to get on or join up with a group to form a 4-ball. The new FAKCC offers 27 holes of world-class golf.
Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion
You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.
What many tourists and residents of Manila, Subic, Pampanga Angeles City and Clark Philippines found out over the holidays when they traveled out of town going north to Pampanga for a short getaway and a nice vacation was that there is a highly recommended hotel in Clark is also a very night out place.
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.
This web site contains articles and information that will be helpful to visitors, residents and tourists traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga and Clark Philippines. There are several web sites that contain information that might also be pertinent to what is happening in North Luzon, Subic, Tarlac, Pampanga, Clark Freeport Philippines.
Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?
Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga
Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.
One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:
Yats International Leisure Philippines
For assistance with lodgings, accommodations, hotels and resorts near Manila in Subic, Pampanga, Angels City and Clark Philippines log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
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