S
Saskibaloia2
Guest
Saski, the answer to your question is in the link I posted above (part 2). Let's just say that Jose Mari Martinez is the Graham Lim of the PFF.
Integrity and honesty is so vital for any organisation and for Martinez to do that to the star players is a suicide to the Federation.
In terms of the sport's potential growth in the Philippines, one strategy that the federation can use is to try and first promote futsal (indoor football) because from my experience in the Philippines, there's PLENTY of basketball gymnasiums and indoor stadiums. It is very easy to turn that gymnasium or indoor stadium into a indoor football court. But more importantly, it is an easier adjustment for a basketball player to play futsal in terms of speed of the game because the court is that same. In addition, basketball fans who enjoy a fast paced sport would definitely love the speed of futsal. I'm still a basketball player and fan but after having lived in South America (Uruguay), I have fallen in love also with football and I love playing futsal as much as basketball. I believe the size of the futsal court allowed me to make an easier adjustment rather than the wide spaces of a outdoor football field.
It is a true that futsal is a more technical version of football and is considered more difficult to play BUT as any South American would say, "cuando juegas futbol de sala, puedes a jugar futbol pasto" (when you can play indoor football, you can play outdoof football). Thus, when the outdoor game grows then it would be easier for the futsal enthusiasts to play football after having played the indoor version.
First target should be in SEA where it is already competitive.. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the likes are way ahead of us in football.. Hope we can catch up with them..
You're right that Philippines should first take the small steps and have the goal of doing well first in South East Asia. Though "The Big 4" of South East Asia may not be as good as the likes of Japan, South Korea, Australia or the Middle East, these 4 nations have always played against the "Big Guns" of Asia, thus, through their experience and skill level, Philippines can obtain a lot of good from them. In addition, in club level all of these countries have clubs playing in the Asian Champions League or the second tier competition.
Hopefully, the ASEAN football federation can introduce an ASEAN club football tournament, which will allow the Filipinos to play against other ASEAN football clubs that play regularly (on a yearly basis) against the "Big Guns" of Asia.
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