| Who Runs The Show? Who Is To Blame? |
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| Eduard Smit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday, 23 August 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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LOS ANGELES - Supporters of Philippine football today are very much occupied with the exclusion of football teams from the country’s contingent to the ASEAN Games in Bangkok later this year. Vilified are the two bodies tasked to select teams that will participate: the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission. After much deliberation, it was decided that it was just too expensive to send teams that had little chance of bringing home medals, the standard set for inclusion. Meanwhile, the Philippine Football Federation publicly states that their teams are capable of bringing home medals from Thailand. In the 2005 edition of the games, when the Philippines played host, similar optimism was expressed. The men’s team came close to advancing past the group stage with a historic win and two narrow losses. The women fared better, but failed to deliver on the promise, finishing fourth. The notion that one should only participate in sport if one has a chance of winning prizes does not adhere to the highest principles of sportsmanship. It is disappointing, but not surprising that sports writers in Philippine media do not touch this subject. There is universal acceptance that money, or the claimed lack of it, is a justifiable reason not to participate. Philippine sports officials, sport writers and pundits as well, need to realize that football is not just another sport. Football is the most popular sport in the world. South East Asia is not an exception. It is the national sport, in fact, of most nations. When the Philippines refuses to participate in this sport it sends the message that this nation does not care about such things as solidarity in sport. Like the spoiled child, the Philippines will not play the game all the neighborhood kids are playing because it doesn’t believe it can win. The South East Asian Games, we would hope, is modeled after the Olympic Games in more than just format. You would expect that the very ideals of Olympic sport are embedded in the philosophies of all national sporting bodies participating. As such, we need to remind ourselves of the Olympic Creed, presented to all athletes at every Olympic Games: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." Let’s assume that winning a medal in the past or the likelihood of winning a medal are justifiable criteria for inclusion in a national delegation. Can the Philippine men and women footballers win a medal at these games? There is reason to believe that this is possible. Two years ago the men exceeded expectations at the SEA Games. In recent years, the squad has earned the respect of opposition managers and players. Should this team make an appearance in Bangkok, it’s greatest difficulty will be to overcome the high that Asian Cup co-hosts Thailand, Viet Nam and Indonesia are still riding on after remarkable performances. Malaysia, the fourth co-host of the Asian Cup and the only team unable to win a match, will be looking to a very strong showing at the SEAG after a very disappointing outing at the Cup. The women’s squad has been bolstered of late by the addition of overseas-based and foreign-trained Filipinas, which should give them more reason for optimism. Standing in their way are four other teams ranked higher in the FIFA Women’s ranking. Not among the four is Singapore, with whom the lady booters split a pair of friendlies earlier this year. It does not help in the selection for inclusion into the Philippine contingent that at these friendlies the coach was not present. Regardless of the reasons, this does nothing to impress upon the selectors the seriousness with which the PFF claims to support women’s football. Should both teams make the Games, it is quite obvious that winning a medal will not be easy. PFF President Romualdez claims that they can give other SEAG nations a run for the title. Fanciful hyperbole of that sort in light of the facts doesn’t help instill confidence in the leadership of Philippine football. Not that there ever was much confidence to begin with. PFF Executive Vice President, Tony Chua, said recently that the teams’ “only way to join the delegation is to get a sponsor.” PFF President, Romualdez, blames currency fluctuations for why the Federation has no funds to send a team. The PFF had allegedly planned to use leftover money from the construction of that monument to waste; the soon to be inaugurated PFF headquarters. Of course, no one knows if there was anything left over. Just as no one knows why Philippine football teams continue to be funded significantly by private parties or why, despite a P40 million budget, so few PFF events are taking place, especially in its Centennial year. No one knows. Perhaps it’s about time that the PFF open its books to the public so that we do know. This should be especially informative in an election year. Surely, the PFF is unfamiliar with the political and financial shenanigans that are common features of national government. One day soon we can expect the PFF to usher in a new era of openness, inclusivity and competence. Right? Don’t hold your breath. In the coming weeks we’ll look into some of the workings of the organization that is meant to be the country’s stewards of football. Where our sports media has failed us, we’ll try to do better. We’ll ask some questions that no one else is asking. Hopefully, we’ll find some answers. The first step is to realize that we have the right and the need to know. Email the author
Carlo Reyes
said:
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| While like most Pinoys, basketball is my passion, I am saddened by the lack of football development here. We had a decent showing in several previous tournaments and we had every reason to believe that we could continue to improve. Yet, the PFF (and POC/PSC) have decided NOT to participate in the World Cup qualifiers and worse, not to participate in the SEA Games, the "lowest" level tournament we can join. This is a shame of the highest order. First, with regards to the World Cup qualifiers, notice that countries like East Timor, Laos, the Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Nepal are participating. In fact, out of 46 football federations in Asia, we are only 1 of 4 that have chosen NOT to participate! Can you honestly say that those countries have more football resources than even the Philippines? They are there to show solidarity with other football nations through participation, and to give their current and future footballers something to which to aspire. On the SEA Games, I am happy that the women's team and the futsal team are in, but again, no men's side. If we do not compete in these events, against teams that are a little better than us, how the heck can we EVER improve? We may not win a medal, but a few close games and no 11-0 thrashings would be a sign that Philippine football is moving in the right direction! In both cases, our worldwide rankings are negatively affected by the simple act of not participating. Are we trying to be one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to football?!? I hope that the football powers-that-be in the Philippines will realize that it takes money, will, heart and desire to be competitive here, and that they will do the right thing to help our football teams represent our country proudly. |
Francis
said:
| If only and if money were an excusable issue for not participating in football tournaments for many countries, we would certainly find only a few teams in every international football competition. Needless to say or unfortunately, it is not the issue. Rather, it is a matter of interest or preference here. I am just wondering what answers the Filipinos will give to their next generations when they ask," What have you done for the development of Philippine football? Why did you not pay enough attention to it while the whole world is crazy about it or playing it?"I will be waiting for this very moment, though. :) |
Morelia
said:
| Not all is lost tho, the men's futsal team will be participating in the SEA Games this December. |
Indiobravo
said:
| We should try talking to people close to GMA who love and care about football.Maybe they could do something. |
hardstud
said:
| I agree that the Philippine National Football team needs a new PR man. We have to admit that we can't stand alone if we don't find a 'big' sponsor for the team in order for it to market to the entire nation so these 'Football Fever' in our country could spread and contaminate the hearts and minds of basketball fans as well as non football afficionados.. As for the young talents, I will start looking at San Carlos City, Negros Occidental where an 'Under-8 Football Program has been going on. Here, we develop the grassroots of future footballers of the Philippines. |
Miyong
said:
| Although I do think that the lack of money is as good a reason as any not to participate in a sports competition, I do not agree to the reasoning that we must participate only in sports that will offer us a chance at winning a medal. That kind of reasoning only suggests that we as a people do not try to better ourselves by working on our weaknesses. By not exploring, we are simply putting limits to our own abilities. By limiting ourselves, we are narrowing our chances for greatness. |
Francis
said:
| It is a no big surprise to hear that PFF will not send its national team to Thailand later this year. The reason is that football is not their priority. They do not know what football is all about. They were not educated to know football in their school years. To talk about football in the Philippines is far too romote a thing it is. It is just too abstract. Talking about football in the Philippines is just like talking about snow here. People just do not have any slightest idea of it. It is very clear that if you know the sport and have a passion for it, you will surely find evry possible way to go for it. It is simply a matter of lack of knowlege, passion and priority in life. Thus, please go and educate your people about football, especially your leaders. Teach them to learn to speak the language of the world: FOOTBALL. |
UtakBarok
said:
| Fil football supporters should organize a rally protest when Sepp Blatter arrives in PI. To let him know that the fans are not happy with the current program and its head. That would show a clear message to Sepp. All the FA's in the Phil. should participate. |
ballboy
said:
| i heard about that 40 million pesos fiasco too. people are talking and getting restless. PFF should start acting like a governing body. philippine football is like a plant stuck in a shaded portion of a house. growth will never be in its full capacity because the gardener (PFF) doesn't have the sensitivity to bring it out under the sun. A lot of people have been working on the development of football out of their own efforts (Futkal, countless of football schools and clubs, etc.) but it needs the PFF to integrate and unite all of these organizations to give football a more solid direction. the hard-working pawns are everywhere. it's just the king, who's dubiously lazy, to lead it. unless we call for a new breed of leadership. let the people who are "institutions" remain as institutions and let someone new do the job with vitality and results. 40 million pesos. son of a -----. |
Chris
said:
| Its a dis-service and unfair criticism to Phil and James Younghusband, plus other Fil-Foreighn Internationals. To claim that they are playing for the Philippines for the GLORY of it. These guys are here to help improve the quality of Philippine football. There is money to be found playing for our country. These guys pay for their own airfare and other expenses just to play for the Azkals. I don't think the local pinoy players envy them. The may find it an honor to play with such talented players. Or else we would be the Wipping boys of Asia and losing 15-0 regularly. But now we are getting more respectible finishes. Winning some matches too. Our local boys can easily outshine them by popularity IF we have our own Pro. Football Leauge. But the fact is we dont. So how can we say this local boy from Ilo-Ilo or so can be the next Paulino Alcantara? When there is no stage for them to spectacle their talents. BTW breaking into the 1st of a big Premiership club like Chelsea is not an easy task. Staying with the Reserve Team for Chelsea is ever harder. Phil is still with Chelsea (unlike James who's released). He recently was loaned out Danish top-league club Esbjerg fB to gain 1st team experience. IF he was crap he could have been released by now. But they still decided to stick with as a Prospect for the Future. The Reserve Team system is integral part of European Clubs. Some players who cant break into the 1st can sometimes shine with other 1st team clubs. Take for example Samuel Eto with Real Madrid Castilla. He couldnt get a start with Real Madrid but is phenomenial at Barcelona now. |
reddevil
said:
| I think arnique has opened up something there regarding the dependence on the Younghusbands. I just also want to show a different side of the coin with all due respect. Some people could see it that way that the limited success the national team has had so far has come with these guys on the team. But that would be a huge disservice to Coach Aris Caslib. Football is a team game and whatever success must be attributed to his approach and the line up he puts together. He basically has the same meager resources from the PFF that his foreign predecessors had but he still came up with these small but morale boosting victories (i.e. our 1st Tiger cup win and our new found respectability on the pitch). I remember there were times we had to pass the hat around for the travelling and food expenses of the team when Coach Aris was first put in charge. There are a few players from the South in the training pool. At this point, the current team has had the most international exposure and that is something that is of primary consideration as it really shows on the pitch. I am hoping that we get more local players but after watching them in practice and during the actual games, I can say there is no one like the Younghusbands in the Philippines right now. Regardless if they cant break into even 1st division teams in the UK (Drogba and Pizarro are currently the first choice Chelsea strikers, with Shevchenko waiting on the wings). There was a game against Cambodia when the coaching staff were screaming at the players to hold possession since time was running out and the team was ahead, the two brothers took the ball to the corner and had half the Cambodian team chasing after them. They put on an amazing display of two man possession. I just hadnt seen Filipino players do that. These guys just have different training. Condition wise, some of the local player may even be ahead of them but technical skill and composure, its just not the same. I do agree with Arnique that the PR situation is a disaster. The PFF cant even translate the limited popularity of the national team into jersey sales that can help their resources (thats another story). Try checking out the website philfootball.info They can spend millions on that new building that only a few people in the footballing community know about, but they cant even spend $50 a year to keep their domain name so that the world can know they can exist. We've discussed previously on the popularity of football but if the PFF put any importance to the value of media to their program, i dont think they would have this many problems. Is the PFF more concerned about keeping the spotlight off their accounting rather than on the development of the national team? |
kenji
said:
| Well written piece. (More!) Sit up PFF and take note. |
Eduard S
said:
| When the PFF is run cleanly and competently there should be immediate dividends for the national teams. Thank you, Arnique |
arnique
said:
| I think the problem of the RP national team is its dependence on players who are based in other countries (i.e. Greatwich and Younghusband). They don't seem to have a team rapport with the other players. I often feel that such players play RP caps to get limelight during international matches rather than for play for loyalty to the country. Honestly, how good are the Younghusbands when they can't even break into Chelsea's reserve team? The RP manager needs to set his sights on recruiting players from the provinces esp. Iloilo and cities with a football base. At least then the team might get some local support from towns that want to see their local boys play. Most importantly, the Azkals need a better PR officer because there is no marketing or media support to speak of for the national team. |
Eduard S
said:
| Reports from Asian media about the Philippines being the only country not participating are becoming more common. Latest is the AFF U-17's. Once again, the Philippines is conspicuous by its absence. Thanks again for your contribution, Reddevil. |
reddevil
said:
| Over the years, football in the Philippines has suffered debacle after debacle. The non participation of the women's youth team in an Asean regional tournament after the PFF bungled the submission of the official entry form comes to mind. This after they housed the team and the coaching staff for a month to train for the event, effectively wasting not only a lot of money but the sacrifices of a lot of people. How this wounded the development of women's football on a technical level and morale wise, only time will tell. Now this embarassing business of a budget problem just when our national team is making progress. The list goes on and on. Johnny Romualdez has a lot to answer to but if his efforts in keeping in power is remotely the same to what he is suppose to be doing for our national teams, maybe we could have qualified for this year's Asian Cup let alone be a serious medal contender in the SEA games. I really dont think its the football powerhouses of Asia that is our fiercest challengers in climbing the FIFA rankings. With so called friends like these, who needs enemies? |
