Greatwich energizes young Talisay booters

Saturday, January 28, 2012

PHILIPPINE Azkals midfielder Simon Greatwich led the distribution of T-shirts donated by Teleperformance for kids who are participating in the ongoing 8-a-side Mayor Eric Saratan Weekend Football League.

“It is a great honor for me to be part of this outreach program of Teleperformance,” said Greatwich during the press conference at Talisay City Hall on Friday.

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“Thus, when Teleperformance asked me to come here, I did not hesitate to come. I truly welcome the opportunity to be with the kids and encourage them to continue playing football and excel in the game,” added the Azkals star who was accompanied by his proud parents Clive and Carolina in his Bacolod visit.

BACOLOD. Azkals midfielder Simon Greatwich, assisted by Talisay Mayor Doc Eric Saratan, distributes at the Talisay football field the T-shirts donated by Teleperformance for kids who are participating in the ongoing Mayor Doc Eric Saratan Weekend Football League. (Gilbur L. Guarte)

“Simon’s presence today is a big boost to the football program of Talisay City,” said Mayor Eric Saratan. “I’m sure his presence here will inspire and motivate our kids and youth to play with greater dedication.”

It’s all for the kids

For his part, Teleperformance Football Team captain Christian Marañon said that the T-shirt donation is part of the company’s social outreach program.

“It’s all for the kids,” he stressed.

When the Weekend Football League kicked off first week of October last year, Teleperformance fielded a team composed of its employees in the Men’s Open category of the tourney, which is part of Saratan’s grassroots sports development program.

The business process outsourcing employees saw the sorry plight of the kids participating in the tourney who played without uniform and some even without shoes. This prompted Teleperformance to donate T-shirts for the kids.

Saratan, Vice Mayor Neil Lizares, other city officials and football aficionados, such as Minuluan-Talisay Football Club president Rafael T. Lizares Jr., club vice-president Councilor Edmundo Celis and EVFC president Menchu Lacson, also donated additional T-shirts, bringing the total T-shirts to be distributed to the players at more than 600 pieces.

Greatwich and Saratan then led a caravan to the Talisay Football Field where more than 500 kids and youth were waiting to hear the message of their football idol and see him play.

Joining them in the caravan were Talisaynon booters who brought honor to the city, namely: Michael Quinlat and Michael Rojo who played for the Philippine football team in the Homeless World Cup; and Thea Claire Concepcion, Carmela Gabiola, Irish Navaja and Mikaela de Asis who donned the country’s colors in the Asian Football Confederation Under 14 Girls Championship in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

Mayor Saratan vs Simon Greatwich

After the ceremonial distribution of shirts to selected teams, the day’s affair was highlighted by six exhibition matches topped by the game between Teleperformance headed by Greatwich and Talisay captained by no less than Mayor Saratan himself.

Adding spice to the match was Greatwich’s father Clive who served as goalkeeper for the Teleperformance Team.

Greatwich drew first blood for Teleperformance with his breakaway attack. He accounted for the team’s two goals in the game.

Not to be outdone, Saratan also scored the first goal for the home team, buttressed by two goals from city sports coordinator Warren Concepcion and another goal by Ramir Javelona to put Talisay on top, 4-2 at the end of the exciting exhibition match.