Finding ways to promote football

MANILA, Philippines - Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) president Charlie Cojuangco yesterday bared plans of importing European experts to conduct clinics for referees, coaches, physical trainers and even sports journalists in a serious effort to lay the groundwork for a nationwide promotional campaign with support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Cojuangco said former Uruguay pro Maor Rozen, who is in his fifth visit here since 2008, will assist in tapping the experts from European leagues during the off-months of July and August.

“We won’t be offering licensing clinics or courses,” said Cojuangco. “We’ll be inviting anyone interested to advance their knowledge of the game. With Maor, we hope to assist in raising the level of competence of our referees, coaches, physical trainers and journalists so that in turn, they may educate our players.”

Cojuangco, 46, said there are many ways to promote football although starting at the grassroots level sets the direction for the future.

“In Negros Occidental, we’ve been organizing games for under-11 to under-13 boys and girls from several elementary schools,” said Cojuangco. “We’ve discovered a lot of promising players. But it’s time for us to explore options beyond the grassroots level. For instance, I think the United Football League deserves support for giving the game a strong push. It’s a semi-pro league that gives a platform for collegiate players to continue playing the game after graduating from school. At the moment, the league is surviving and if it lasts three years, I think there’s a big chance it’ll be here to stay. It’s a solid league, devoid of politics, but needs support. The league lacks venues, for example.”

Cojuangco said the key to fueling public interest in football is to make it interesting for fans to watch the games.

“It’s important for the league to come out with a strict schedule of games for fans to follow,” he continued. “That way, fans will know where to go to watch which games. The challenge is how to put more people in the stands, get families involved. On weekends, the league must make itself attractive so that fans go out to the stadium to watch the games live instead of following games on TV, which they can tape and replay later. The United Football League was conceptualized by a group of private enthusiasts and I think they’re on the right track.”

Cojuangco said youth leagues like the Rizal Football Association (RIFA) where kids as young as seven years old play should be supported and encouraged. “The problem is youth leagues have short seasons and not too many games are played,” he said. “A critical goal is to give players a chance to play games because that’s the only way they’ll improve.”

Cojuangco said the recent success of the Philippines’ “miracle team” in the street kids World Cup in South Africa could be a magnet to inspire the youth to start kicking instead of dribbling a ball with their hands.

“I’d like to see more street games where kids play with their feet and can’t touch the ball,” said Cojuangco. “I think kids from depressed areas can give you the commitment a coach needs for a long-term playing career. My plan is to visit Tondo one day, get the pulse of the kids and find out if they’re interested to play. Kids from exclusive schools don’t end up with a long-term commitment because they grow up to become technocrats or entrepreneurs, leaving football behind. Our role should be to plan and organize games for kids and seniors alike. My own advocacy is to get poor kids to play, teach them the basics and give them the chance to compete. There’s no one person or one organization capable of doing this for the love of the game. That’s why I’m in the process of studying the different existing leagues, analyzing where they can be strengthened to give football a big lift.”

Rozen, 48, said he is partial to developing a grassroots program because “you don’t build a house from the roof but you start from the basement.” Rozen, who has conducted football camps in Israel, Ireland, Brazil, Germany and Spain, added that without kids playing, there is no future for the sport.

But Rozen admitted that Cojuangco’s holistic approach will address concerns that are not exclusive to the grassroots level.

“I believe in Mr. Cojuangco’s vision,” said Rozen. “Next week, I’ll be in Bacolod for several days to conduct tryouts for players of all ages. This is the scouting stage. I like working on the ground, on the field – that’s my specialty. We’re putting together a directory of top players of all ages then we’ll decide how to harness their talents.”

Rozen has submitted a developmental plan for under-11 to under-17 players with a timetable from 2009 to 2012. Cojuangco said depending on what he learns from surveying leagues all over the country, a total plan may be developed incorporating Rozen’s grassroots program.

“We don’t want to be involved in politics with the PFF (Philippine Football Federation),” said Cojuangco. “We’re working to develop football in the Philippines in our private capacity through my personal foundation. I think our vision is compatible with the PSC so it’s possible that whatever comes out from our survey may be something the PSC could support.”

Rozen will return to his home in Cadiz, Spain, in May and if plans don’t miscarry, will be back in July with experts to conduct courses for referees, coaches, physical trainers and journalists.