The Az-pups (Azkals' puppies)
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Photo courtesy of Babyruth Villarama-Gutierrez |
Members of the Philippine under-11 boys’ football team left for the United Kingdom on Friday night all upbeat—and extremely excited—about their three-week education and sports training program.
The 22 members of the squad are the products of the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) nationwide search under the Kasibulan Grassroots Development Program in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Tarlac.
For 10-year-old striker Shane Clemente and fifth-grader Vin Joel de la Cruz, just getting the chance to ride an airplane is already a dream come true for them.
“Excited na excited na po ako pumunta. Dati nagcheer lang ako sa mga football games, ngayon ako na ang naglalaro,” said Clemente, who was introduced to football by his older brother Jerome at the Kaya FC Academy.
The Acacia Elementary School Grade 5 student—one of the youngest members of the Kaholeros, the Azkals’ cheering squad—added that besides aiming to play for the San Beda Red Lions—both in the juniors and seniors squads—he is also hoping to someday join the national men’s team.
De la Cruz, who was named Most Valuable Player in the Monfort Cup, said basketball was his first choice but got into football as a last-minute addition to the Don Bosco Mandaluyong team.
Robert Orr, Michael Osorio, Jacob Padernal, Nikko Guitierrez, Ildefonso Escobin, Nicolei San Jose Abalos, Josh Asignar, Yuan Rena, Tristan Enad, Charles Unabia, Chevey Celeste, Shemrei Marobillo, John Karl Solomo, Jill Pillora, Drexler Valencia, Mark Alanquihan, Mark Amaikurut, Joi Gaid Jr., Greg Naquines and Agiel John Rojo were the other members of the team.
“These kids are the cream of the crop of the Kasibulan program. We can’t have a football academy like in the UK but with partnerships like this, we can help fulfill the dreams of these boys,” said PFF Media Relations Head Ebong Joson.
Joson added that the current batch of players will someday be part of an all-Filipino team that can compete in the Under-17 World Cup qualifiers.
The UK trip is funded by the London-based British Council, headed by Country Director Nick Thomas.
“The project is the best fit for the British Council’s mission of building trust and cooperation from other countries. The British Council has an active sports program and we want other countries to experience it,” Thomas said.
The 22 members of the squad are the products of the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) nationwide search under the Kasibulan Grassroots Development Program in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Tarlac.
For 10-year-old striker Shane Clemente and fifth-grader Vin Joel de la Cruz, just getting the chance to ride an airplane is already a dream come true for them.
“Excited na excited na po ako pumunta. Dati nagcheer lang ako sa mga football games, ngayon ako na ang naglalaro,” said Clemente, who was introduced to football by his older brother Jerome at the Kaya FC Academy.
The Acacia Elementary School Grade 5 student—one of the youngest members of the Kaholeros, the Azkals’ cheering squad—added that besides aiming to play for the San Beda Red Lions—both in the juniors and seniors squads—he is also hoping to someday join the national men’s team.
De la Cruz, who was named Most Valuable Player in the Monfort Cup, said basketball was his first choice but got into football as a last-minute addition to the Don Bosco Mandaluyong team.
Robert Orr, Michael Osorio, Jacob Padernal, Nikko Guitierrez, Ildefonso Escobin, Nicolei San Jose Abalos, Josh Asignar, Yuan Rena, Tristan Enad, Charles Unabia, Chevey Celeste, Shemrei Marobillo, John Karl Solomo, Jill Pillora, Drexler Valencia, Mark Alanquihan, Mark Amaikurut, Joi Gaid Jr., Greg Naquines and Agiel John Rojo were the other members of the team.
“These kids are the cream of the crop of the Kasibulan program. We can’t have a football academy like in the UK but with partnerships like this, we can help fulfill the dreams of these boys,” said PFF Media Relations Head Ebong Joson.
Joson added that the current batch of players will someday be part of an all-Filipino team that can compete in the Under-17 World Cup qualifiers.
The UK trip is funded by the London-based British Council, headed by Country Director Nick Thomas.
“The project is the best fit for the British Council’s mission of building trust and cooperation from other countries. The British Council has an active sports program and we want other countries to experience it,” Thomas said.
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