Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Taneo: Asian minnows get a league of their own
By Paul J. Taneo
Free-for-all
It is heartening to learn that Fifa is also concerned with Asia’s lesser member countries, that is, nations who rank well outside the top 20 in the region.
Japan, South Korea, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Australia and China can well represent Asia in first-class international competition but Fifa chief Sepp Blatter still finds time to show concern for the likes of Afghanistan, Taiwan, the Philippines, India, Guam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Palestine, Brunei, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Macau, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan, 16 “emerging” nations that will take part in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.
Palestine, at 121, is the highest ranked in this group. The Philippines is at 191, 14 notches from last-place American Samoa. Only Macau (192) and Guam (204) are lower than the Philippines of the countries taking part in the AFC Challenge Cup.
Blatter said that Fifa will always be there to support Asia’s minnows but they should create their own programs to progress.
“Fifa is always ready to help, but initiatives must come from national associations to improve. Local football federations need to develop their own programs — step by step,” Blatter said.
Fifa and AFC have various projects in Asia like the Goal Program and Vision Asia.
In Cebu, it is obvious to the most casual of observers that the Cebu Football Association is doing all it can to develop the game. There are tournaments aplenty in all age levels and our teams have been doing quite well in regional and national competitions, not only in football but also in boxing. Although, fisticuffs in the game of feet and balls is an inevitability that in a weird way is a positive indication that those involved take their football seriously and scrimp not on passion and enthusiasm for the game they play and love.
In the last 20 years, the game hasn’t been as popular in Cebu (and perhaps the whole country) as it is now. Thanks to wider coverage of the sport in media, with international games made available through cable TV, public interest has been kindled.
We may be a long way from figuring in the Tiger (Asean) Cup finals but we are improving. The infusion of Fil-foreign talent is a huge help but the country’s football leadership should not rely on that.
Like Fifa and AFC saying that our advancement is through local programs as they know that the only way to go up is to have a sane program that will sustain local players. Imports should be treated as supplement not the core of the national team.
The time that the Philippines can beat Thailand, the acknowledged superpower in Southeast Asia, then we can begin thinking of qualifying for the World Cup. Realistically, though, that is a pipe dream. But we have to start somewhere, and as of now, it is looking up from 191st spot.
As to this year’s World Cup in Germany, Blatter said that Asian teams (Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia) will have more difficulty than in Korea-Japan in 2002 as European leagues finished early to have more time for rest and preparation.
“Don’t forget, the visiting teams, especially those from Europe, came tired because the leagues were delayed and they played 10 days before the start of the World Cup (in 2002),” Blatter said. “This time we stop leagues on May 15 and now they have time to relax and prepare.”
Not to mention the South and North American teams.
(paulotaneo@yahoo.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 5, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
