Source : Sunstar.com.ph
THE province is aspiring to be known as the 'Football Capital of the Philippines’ after the successful hosting of the Asean Football Confederation Challenge Cup where the Philippine Team Azkals defeated the visiting Mongolia Blue Wolves, 2-0.
Board Member Patrick Leonard Lacson, chair of the provincial board’s sports committee, said Negros Occidental has an advantage over other aspirant to the title because of the province’s existing facility, which was accredited by FIFA (International Federation of Football Associations).
Lacson was referring to the football pitch at the Panaad Park and Stadium where the AFC Challenge Cup was held in February 9.
Other provinces vying also for the title are Iloilo and Rizal, which also produce outstanding football players.
Chieffy Caligdong who gave the first goal for team Azkals versus Mongolia hails from Barotac, Iloilo.
Negros Occidental also produces world-class football players, Lacson pointed out. He added that Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. is also planning to initiate football tournaments in the barangay level to drum up the interest of the players in the sport.
Maranon earlier said the provincial officials had already drawn up plans to extend the seats around the stadium to accommodate more spectators during international games like the AFC Challenge Cup.
The Philippine Football Federation also observed that Panaad should be expanded to have more space in preparation for more international games. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)
Negros aspires to be PHL’s football capital
3:15 AM
Anonymous
An askal is a Filipino term for any dog with no pedigree, no breed, no class. The askal is usually astray, unsupported and survives by feeding on whatever provision it can find. The Filipino national football team can relate to this mongrel, they have almost no support from a government thats suppose to support them, they are underdogs not just only to the world but even in their own region, South East Asia.
Name: Angel Guirado Aldeguer
Stephan Schröck - nicknamed "Schröcky", is a German–Filipino professional footballer who plays as a right back for 2nd Bundesliga club SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
