Kia PH launches search for Mascot Friend for 2014 FIFA World Cup, confirms talks with Pacman for PBA

MANILA, Philippines - Every four years, the world stands witness to football’s grandest event—the FIFA World Cup. Senior men’s national teams from the 208 member associations of FIFA compete in what is said to be the biggest single-event sporting competition in the world. Following major partnerships with tennis’ Australian Open and basketball’s NBA, Kia Motors Corporation is now an Official Partner of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines, also followed suit and launched Kia Mascot Friend as part of its many activities to celebrate World Cup.

Other than the thrilling matches, fans, both young and old, also await and enjoy the unique World Cup mascots representing the host country and the spirit of football. This year, Fuleco, a three-banded armadillo native to Brazil, is the 2014 FIFA World Cup Official Mascot.

Lucky for Fuleco’s young Filipino fans, CAC will give a chance for one kiddie participant of Kia Mascot Friend to go to Recife, Brazil and join Fuleco for an in-game, halftime show!

Young booters aged 12 years old and below can join the Kia Mascot Friend tournament on May 17 at the Alabang Country Club where a panel of judges will be present to assess the kids’ football aptitude, personality, and ability to articulate himself well. From the tournament pool, eight kids will be selected for a final interview to be conducted by the judges where eventually, one final participant will be chosen.

Aside from a match appearance with Fuleco, the winner will also enjoy a live match viewing of one of the Group Stage matches and a full hospitality program for four days and three nights.

CAC president, Ginia R. Domingo, shares, “Kia Mascot Friend is another initiative to promote football in the country and what better way to introduce and excite the public about the sport than to bring the competitive yet very festive spirit of World Cup here. It is, no doubt, a gathering of football’s finest and we want to give young and aspiring Filipino footballers a chance to experience that.”

To join, a team needs to field five players and one substitute, along with an entry fee of P2,000. Be sure to visit www.facebook.com/kiainthephilippines to sign up and to know more about the full tournament mechanics.

Sign-up now and let Kia bring you to the FIFA World Cup action right in Brazil!

Other events lined up for CAC’s World Cup-themed activities are the amateur football tourney Champ into the Arena; a nationwide car display and test-drive activity called World Cup Road Show; and FIFA World Cup viewing parties tagged as Kia Fest. Watch out for these surprises only from Kia, the brand with the Power to Surprise!

Still in the field of sports, Domingo confirmed earlier reports of a meeting last May 8 with Congressman Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani.

“The head office of CAC in Makati was especially graced today by our country’s boxing hero and legend, Cong. Manny Pacquiao,” Domingo said in a statement.

Cong. Pacquaio met with CAC executives and expressed his desire to help in organizing the Kia PBA basketball team after the PBA board granted CAC its approval to form a team in time for the 40th season of the league.

“We are both elated and excited at the possibility of our nation’s most popular and revered sports icon, Cong. Manny Pacquaio, becoming a part of Team Kia,” Domingo added.

“We will continue our discussions in the next few weeks and will announce our plans as soon as they are firmed up,” Domingo ended.