Women�s football in SEA Games scrapped

THE Philippine Football Federation may have to send the national women�s team to other international meets this year.

This is because organizers of the 26th Southeast Asian Games have decided to scrap women�s football from the roster of sports for the biennial meet.

Informed of this development, PFF president Mariano �Nonong� Araneta said he will meet with women�s committee chairman Rafael Vilela of Davao to review the status of the women�s team once he gets back from a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Football Federation in Kuala Lumpur this weekend.

�Malalaman natin ang lahat sa meeting ng AFF ngayong weekend sa Kuala Lumpur,� said Araneta.

According to online articles, the Indonesian SEA Games Organizing Committee has scrapped women�s football because organizers are finding it difficult to find a standard-sized football ground.

The INASOC said they need at least two Asian Football Confederation-standard grounds, and training facilities as well.

INASOC�s decision will mostly affect Vietnam, the reigning women�s football champion in the SEAG, which is lobbying for the inclusion of the event.

Meanwhile, the PFF will present its plans and programs to the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, which is thinking of giving financial assistance to the federation.

Araneta has already met with Pagcor Chairman and CEO Cristino Naguiat, who said Pagcor is ready to give the PFF a �substantial� amount once they have reviewed the federation�s plans and programs.

�We will take it up with the board. This will be separate from what we give to the PSC,� said Naguiat, who added that the financial package will have to be coursed through a non-government organization. Peter Atencio

Manila Standard Today