Azkals-Madrid charity match raises nearly P2 million

Saturday, January 7, 2012

MANILA -- The charity match between the Azkals Alyansa and Spanish third division club CF Internacional de Madrid (CFIM) on Saturday raised nearly P2 million for the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong (international name: Washi).

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) secretary-general Gwendolyn Pang said they were able to raise P1.86 million, higher than the initial estimate of P1.5 million, at the end of the two-hour match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

�The Philippine Football Federation said it was P1.1 million last Friday, then today (Saturday) we have P135,000 sales in tickets, plus onsite collections of at least P65,000. So that�s roughly, P1.3 million. This excludes the donation given by the Newman Foundation, which was 10,000 euros (equivalent to P560,000),� Pang said.

Before a cheering crowd of 8,000, the teams displayed rare solidarity for a worthwhile cause to help in the recovery of Sendong victims in the low-lying cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.In the game, the Azkals avoided a complete shutout against the visiting Spanish team after right midfielder James Younghusband scored the country�s lone goal in the 62nd minute. The final score was 3-1.

In its 8 a.m. Saturday report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the death toll reached 1,257 while those injured totaled 4,663 with 169 still missing.

The report also said at least 117,665 families were affected while damage to infrastructure, agriculture and school buildings was reached P1,399,602,882.40.

The PRC, the main beneficiary of the match�s proceeds, said the organization was satisfied with the turnout of the donation drive as people flocked to the venue to bring relief items such as clothes and other dry goods.

Express courier LBC, one of the game sponsors, placed four trucks and staff on site to help sort the relief items.

�It�s not just about the money but the spirit of solidarity in this crisis. It shows the value of the people,� Pang said.

Earnings from the telethon, which is at P30,000, will be given to ABS-CBN Foundation.

Back in the game, the Spaniards logged three goals, courtesy of Rufino Sanchez, Daniel Fernandez, and Ignacio Fejoo.

�I think everybody enjoyed the game and we did enough to raise funds. We did our best to help the typhoon victims,� CFIM mentor Javier Marquez said. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

Sun Star Manila