A grassroots football program for boys seven to eight years old and close working relations with the education sector are among the pillars of an eight-year strategic plan the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has begun implementing, its president revealed over the weekend at the sidelines of the 3rd Philippine Futsal League Luzon finals.
The building blocks of the plan to qualify for the World Youth Championships in 2019 are already being laid, according to PFF president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta, who talked with GMA News Online at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Sunday.
Araneta said football festivals for kids aged seven and eight, professionalizing the PFF, an artificial pitch at ULTRA by June next year, and a training center in Bukidnon are among the components of the quest to be among the top 8 in the world in Under-17 men's football eight years from now.
The football festivals are meant to draw out the kids so they can enjoy and have fun playing football while PFF officials and coaches will keep an eye for talents they can develop. "Fun is introduced para ma-enjoy nila," Araneta said.
He revealed that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said it will help the PFF with the Department of Education (DepEd).
The DepEd organizes and runs the annual Palarong Pambansa or national sports meet. Football is one of the events in the Palarong Pambansa.
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