Keeping it going

Spending the weekend with the Philippine Azkals allowed me to observe both the team members and the fans that gathered in the various places where they went.

The fans were from all ages and genders and cut across a wide range in terms of social status.

Some were well-behaved and followed instructions, but there were also those who were only after the autographs and photo opportunities without regard for their safety and what activity was going on.

The team members including their boss, the soft-spoken Dan Palami, and coach Michael Weiss were also nice to the adoring fans and were quite accommodating when it came to posing for pictures or signing shirts, balls, and whatever was thrust towards them.

While many say that it is the good looks of some players that brought them this much interest from the fans, I believe otherwise.

The Younghusbands as well as other Fil-foreign players were already there when only the staunch football fans cared about the national team.

A few years ago, the Philippine team played an exhibition match during the opening day of the Cebu National Interclub Football Cup. Phil and James were there as well as skipper Ali Borromeo and Chad Gould, whose mom is from Cebu.

But last Sunday, we had a different crowd and a totally different security set up when the Azkals came to the same tournament to grace the awards ceremony.

The members of the organizing Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC) had to make sure that the very eager fans can’t get too close and the way had to be cleared for the team members to pass.

While sharing the stage with them (I was there as master of ceremonies since I am a member of the CAFC) along with the other members of the club I dawned upon me how tough it would be to be in their shoes.

There are too many people watching your every move and although the players obviously haven’t lost their sense of humor and their desire to have fun while playing the world’s number sport.

Last Saturday at the Aboitiz Sports Field, many young players had a chance to learn from the Azkals. I’m sure that brief encounter with the national team would have long lasting effects on the interest of the kids to play football.

More importantly, these activities would also encourage continuity in the program to search for talents to fill up the slots in the national team.

We can’t avoid tapping the Fil-foreign players to join the squad. This is a practice of most national teams.

We must also make sure that we continue developing our homegrown talents. The first step is to run the affairs of the associations and the clubs properly then we can move several more steps forward to attain our football dreams.

We can all do our little share of making this happen.

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to my classmate Julius C. Villarin, who turned a year older last Sunday.

The same goes to those who turned a year older last Monday like my mistah Lt. Col. Ed Gubat, Mae Ann ‘Sitam’ Manubag, Dannaliza Toledo-Page and Trina Morada-Poca.

Belated greetings also to those who celebrated yesterday like Raoul ‘Boboy’ Veccina, Elizabeth de Dios-Bondoc, Regie Bacalso, and Rhea Jean Claire Durano.

Today’s greetings go to Marnun Redelosa-Vibar, Cynthia Ompoc-Monzon, coach Elmer ‘Boy’ Cabahug, Gay Yusingco, Ann Batuhan-Rentuza, Merilee Castaño-Montana, and my former squadleader Noel G. Dumlao.

More power to all of you! — THE FREEMAN