PFF to implement ‘no license, no coach’ policy by 2014

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Football Federation aims to implement a mandatory licensing for all coaches of football teams or clubs in the country by 2014. This means that no one is allowed to coach if they can't secure such license from PFF, the country's governing body of the sport, next year.

Marlon Maro, PFF head of the coaches education department who is also Asian Football Confederation (AFC) A licensed coach, said this scheme is being done to develop quality coaching and standardize the training of players in the country.

"The Philippines is only one in the world that anybody is allowed to coach (in football). That shouldn't be the case. One way to motivate a child is through training and the coaches should know what they are going to to," said Maro, who was in town to conduct an AFC C license course at the Cebu Football Association (CFA) located inside the Cebu City Sports Center.       

At present, Cebu has only one AFC A licensed coach in Bro. Mari Aberasturi of the Don Bosco Technology Center. He got the result just two weeks ago, but he has already been tapped as assistant coach of the Phl Under-16 squad.

A-licensed coaches are the only ones allowed to call the shots for the elite men's open team. They also have a chance to be an AFC instructor.

AFC B-licensed coaches, on the other hand, are those who can coach the national developmental teams except for the under-23 and the elite men's open squad. Four Cebuanos are presently holders of it namely Glenn Ramos, Mario Ceniza, Oliver Colina and Eleazar “Elying” Toledo.

With this 'no license, no coach' policy by the PFF, the CFA has to work double time to meet the target date of its implementation considering that it has a total of 82 member clubs, schools and teams.

Prior to holding another C-license course here, CFA officials suggested to coach Maro that local coaches have to undergo first a National Coaches Courses Certificateso that they will be ready enough to do the actual AFC course when it comes.

The C license is the lowest of the three classification where one should attend at least two weeks of coaching course.

This is aimed at training coaches and developing their basic techniques and skills in football and knowledge of the laws of the game among others.

One’s physical fitness is also a factor to be considered as they have to undergo practical and  written exams.                        A total of 22 individuals completed the C coaching certificate course conducted by Maro but whether or not they pass the tough test will be known in two month's time. (FREEMAN)