Former FIFA-licensed referee Jun Mendez, originally from Davao City and now living in UK, (in white shirt, standing) poses with the team.
The Philippine Under-11 Boys Football Team arrived safely in the United Kingdom for a three-week education and sports training program sponsored by the British Council in cooperation with the British Embassy in partnership with the Philippine Football Federation.
Former FIFA-licensed referee Jun Mendez, his wife Marife and some Filipinos were able to visit the team for them to feel welcomed at the Loughborough University in Leicestershire. Mendez and his team brought the Filipinos’ favorite dish, adobo and rice, deliciously prepared by Mutya Delicana, Jofelyn Solleza and family. Other Filipinos brought pizza for the team which was enjoyed by the boys after the game.
The program started last August 23 and ends on September 14. The boys and their coaches will be back home on September 15.
The UK education and training football programme aims, among others, to help the PFF prepare a football team that will qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2019.
The members of the UK-bound team are Mark Alanquihan (Dipolog), Mark Amaikurut ( Davao), Josh Asignar ( Cebu), Yuan Rena (Cebu), Tristan Enad (Cebu), Charles Unabia (Cebu) Chevey Celeste (San Carlos City, Nefros Occ.), Shemrei Marobillo (San Carlos City, Negros Occ.), Bukidnon native Joi Gaid Jr. (Cagayan de Oro), Greg Naquines (Cagayan de Oro), John Karl Solomo (Iloilo), Jill Pillora (Iloilo), Agiel John Rojo (South Cotobato), Drexler Valencia (Negros Oriental), Ildefonso Escobin (Laguna), Robert Orr (NCR), Michael Osorio (NCR), Jacob Padernal (NCR), Nikko Guitierrez (NCR), Nicolei San Jose Abalos (Laguna), Shaninho Clemente (NCR), and Vin Joel Dela Cruz (NCR).
The U11 players are among the top players scouted from the nationwide Kasibulan Grassroots Development Program launched in 2012 by the PFF. They were selected from among the national pool of U11 players formed after the subsequent Regional Festival of Football conducted in March of this year. The 22-player selection was made by PFF coaches after simultaneous national pool players’ inspections in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Tarlac. The PFF Kasibulan: Grassroots Football Development Program is funded by PAGCOR and supported by the Department of Education and the Asian Football Development Program.
The United Kingdom has one of the best football programmes in the world. They are known for their world-class sports facilities, players, coaches and most importantly, sports education. The programme will be conducted by Loughborough University in Leicestershire, UK – one of the world’s greatest sporting Institutions. Loughborough University has the greatest concentration of high performance sports facilities than any other sports institutions in the UK.
The team will be accompanied by five (5) coaches and staff designated by the PFF. The team will have training matches with several U11 boys’ teams from the UK and get a chance to watch an English Premiere League and a World Cup qualifying match between England and Moldovia at the historic Wembley Stadium.
This educational and training program is supported by ABS-CBN Studio 23, Mitre, SM West Avenue Theater, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Voyage Film and Spears Sports Activation. A film documentary of this innovative education and training program will be documented by filmmakers Clodualdo del Mundo and Baby Ruth Villarama and produced by Albert Almendralejo.(pinoy edmonton news with press release)
Pinoy Edmonton News 