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New CFA board in amazing start |
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Sunday, 04 May 2008 |
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The newly elected Cebu Football Association board has started to serve the football community of Cebu on the right track after successfully hosting the RP National men's football team last week and at the same time organizing the 8th Cebu National Inter-Club football championships.
The board made up mostly Cebu's football workhorses have worked night and day to make the two projects successful. Credit is due mainly to the tireless CFA president and Queen City United official Richard Montayre, football benefactor and construction magnate Ricky Dakay and Queen City Football Club honcho Raffy Musni.
Since Montayre decided to run for CFA president early this year, I never had second thoughts on his capability to organize. He has been a football player, and coach all his life and now a very capable leader.
During the election period, Montayre was not even keen on running as CFA president because of the big responsibility that lies ahead. He even dragged Engr. Dakay and Bro. Mari Aberasturi SDB and convinced them run. But the Cebu football community has seen how this man worked and they decided that he is the one to lead them.
I have known Montayre since he played for the legendary M. Lhuillier football squad in the 80's. He played as a no-nonsense defender for the Jewelers. He was drafted to play for the Philippine Airlines football team in Manila where they played in the second division of the National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA) football league.
PAL football team has disbanded but Montayre stayed with the company and continued playing for local teams in Cebu..
In the 90's I coached the University of San Carlos Golden Booters for four years from 1991-1995. When I was promoted to a desk with Sunstar Cebu, there was too much pressure from work, I then resigned as coach of USC..
Then I learned later that Montayre was taking over. I was so happy that he was taking over. Montayre is a USC alumnus he is a yellow blooded Carolinian. He iss also dedicated to football and then I knew that my team was in good hands..
Today (May 4) is championship clash in the men's division of the 8th Cebu National Inter-Club championships at the USC Talamban campus football field. It is the highlight of the weeklong football extravaganza which started last Saturday (April 27) when the RP National Men's team visited Cebu to promote the Asian Challenge Cup Group 2 tournament which is set in Iloilo on May 13-17.
It was for the first time in many years that Cebu has hosted the National team.The CFA board with Montayre's leadership rose to the challenge and accommodated the Azkals in their three day activities in Cebu city.
The Azkals played against Queen City United FC and then the Cebu selection team during the opening of the Inter-Club championships..
CEBU SELECTION TEAM CONTROVERSY
The selection team was hastily assembled and was coached by Cebu's legendary coach Glen Ramos. The players were named a week earlier and a lone practice session was scheduled. To his disappointment coach Glen was surprised to see only a few players during the practice session.
Since a lot of players did not show up and did not commit to the team, coach Glen was forced to beg from Queen City United team and DB-Pinoysoccer.com team to show up for the match.
During the match day, six players from FCIC who were named did not show up in their proper football attire. Only Rocky Garciano for FCIC showed up fully in football attire and was willing to play.
Coach Glen and the rest of the CFA board were furious. It was insult to their authority that these players refused to play in a much hyped match against the RP national team. What added insult to injury was that these players showed up during the opening ceremonies but were in civilian clothes.
I heard from various sources that top Football Club International Cebu officials did not know about the refusal of their players to play (How true is it Manfred?). The players according to my source wanted to play but an official who has been with the team since they were still part of the Hiroshi FC refused them permission.
Shame, The Cebu selection could have put up a better fight against the RP squad instead of suffering a pathetic, 6-0 loss. Shame, RP coach Norman Fegidero was eyeing two Cebu players from FCIC to suit up for the Azkals in future international tournaments.
Forward Junard Aguilar and defender Jon Michael Flores were among the six players who refused to see action against the Azkals.
Aguilar plays college football for University of the Visayas and was a a graduate of the now defunct M. Lhuillier football program while Flores was a former National youth player and was also a member of the Philippine Army football team.
Coach Norman has showed interest in them but with that attitude, they have just thrown away their chance to play for the national team, which is a dream of everyone who plays the beautiful game.
BEND IT SWEEPSTAKES
Finally, future registered nurse Dominique has claimed her prize for the Bend It sweepstakes. I sent her the England jersey since I came from home for a holiday last April 27. Dominque just graduated from Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod and was bitten by the football bug since she volunteered to help the Laos team during the Southeast Asian Games football tournament in Bacolod in 2005..
Dominique has also promised to volunteer for Pinoysoccer.com coverage during the Asian Football Challenge Cup in Iloilo. Pinoysoccer.com readers look for me in Iloilo and I will give you some promotional T-shirts. GOD BLESS
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