MANILA, Philippines - Two teams of handicapped footballers showcased their talent and skills in a fund-raiser dubbed “A Very Special Futbol Cup†at the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Streetchildren Village in Alabang, Muntinlupa recently.
The organizing Henry V. Moran Foundation, headed by its chairman Daniel Moran and head of Futbol programs Ed Formoso, aims to raise at least P3 million in private and corporate sponsorships to fund the deserving handicapped footballers’ stint in the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Inaugural Games slated Nov. 30-Dec. 7 in Newcastle, Australia.
The Aussie event also serves as qualifier for the 2015 Special Olympics set in Los Angeles, USA.
The Moran Foundation took the initiative to put up the fund-raiser upon the invitation from the Special Olympics Philippines board, which is represented by chairman Alex Babst and national executive director Kaye Chastine Samson.
Football patrons, who have sponsored the wards of the Moran Foundation, representatives of top corporate backers, senior booters of the Blue Guards, some of whom are Ateneo alumni, and other alumni members of the national team graced the event in Alabang where the two teams, called the Philippine Specials, displayed camaraderie and sportsmanship nowtwithstanding their developmental and learning disabilities.
Highlighting the charity event were the six 15-minute demonstration games between the godparents, Blue Guards, and senior national team members, capped by the friendship match between the older national team alumni and the Philippine Specials.
Established in 2009 to help improve the lives of the poor through community service, training, and vocational programs, the Henry Moran Foundation is a non-stock, nonprofit organization that takes up the cudgels for the plight of children with developmental and learning disabilities who exhibit an aptitude and passion for the sport of football.