NEGROS Occidental Football Association (Nofa) president Ricky Yanson is grateful that the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) earned another AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football (Developing Country).
Given in last week’s 2016 Asian Football Confederation Awards Night held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the acknowledgement is the second for the PFF after the first one given two years ago during the AFC’s 60th Anniversary celebration.
Yanson, who heads the PFF Grassroots Development Committee, said: “I’m happy that our grassroots program has been recognized by the AFC. And it’s good, maybe because our football program here in the province and in the country have really stepped up and improved a lot,” he said.
PFF president Mariano Araneta was delighted to receive the award on behalf of the federation.
“The recognition should motivate us to do more. We thank all those who helped us promote grassroots football in the Philippines. The award is meaningful as it shows that we are on the right track in developing the youth. As a developing football nation, we consider the grassroots as the lifeblood and the future of Philippine football.”
He also stressed the importance of involving more sponsors and stakeholders to sustain and grow these activities.
At present, the PFF’s Kasibulan: Grassroots Development Project is being implemented throughout the year in different parts of the country alongside the support from Pagcor, Smart, Department of Education, Japan Football Association, and Philam Life Foundation.