Friday, February 29, 2008 Villalva: Depriving the Negrense football fan By Henry C. Villalva Offside
THERE is no doubt whatsoever that the average Negros football fan feels bad about reports that the 2008 Asian Challenge Cup Group 2 Qualifiers slated May 11-18 and earlier announced to be held here in Bacolod City at the Panaad stadium will be held instead in Iloilo City at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
We are not privy to what transpired between the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA), the two football bodies that would have facilitated the smooth preparation and staging here of the said event.
One thing is however apparent: the clash of egos or the refusal of both sides to sacrifice a certain amount of pride for the sake of the sport has deprived the Negrense fan of the opportunity to witness another spectacle at Panaad featuring the national teams of Brunei, Bhutan, Tajikistan and the RP team this time mentored by our very own Norman Fegidero, Jr.
That Panaad is the best football venue in the country, the only venue that passed the criteria of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) when its representatives came to inspect possible venues for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games and the 2006 ASEAN Football Championship qualifiers is already known. But as we've said here we don't know what's exactly between the PFF and NOFA. We can't comment on anything we are not privy to and we refuse to dwell on speculations.
Having talked to Fegidero about his intentions for the national side and having known the guy for a long time as an outstanding RP team striker, we expect him to make some necessary changes for the good of the RP sqauad. Watching the national team being mentored by Fegidero is one thing Negrenses will definitely miss especially if the inclusion of several Negrense standouts in the final lineup will push through.
At the same time, the RP team will miss the hordes of Negrense fans filling the Panaad grandstand and rooting avidly for the nationals just like during the 2005 SEAGames and the 2006 ASEAN Football Championship qualifiers.
For our part, we wish well the Negros booters Archie Bayquin, Arnie Pasnabo, Floriano Pacilan and Michael Casas of USLS as well as Robert Ca¤edo, Joel Ballo-allo, Joeven Bedic and Lemuel Unabia of WNU who will be joining the first RP team training camp in Manila starting March 3 to be conducted by Fegidero.
And to Coach Nonoy, we say: Give it your best. You deserve the post. The RP team needs you and we'll always be here for you!
