AN INTERESTING article that involved the Azkals came out in a national daily lately, but it wasn’t in the sports section but in the business section. Apparently, there’s a falling-out between an insurance company and a PR firm, one that will involve a P20-million lawsuit.
The Azkals are involved in the story because the PR firm and the insurance company were both involved in a multi-million sponsorship for the Philippines’ World Cup qualifiers. The country is out of the running for the World Cup but is still in contention for the Asian Cup qualifiers, taking the lead in Group F.
The deal may be for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers but the Asian Cup qualifiers was merged with the World Cup qualifiers and right now, the Philippines still have two games—away against Nepal in November and at home against Tajikistan on March 27, 2018.
My former boss, Jack Biantan, is hoping that there’s a reconciliation between the two former partners because aside from sponsoring the Azkals, the insurance firm has been holding football tournaments all over the archipelago.
The business article didn’t name the firm but one quick search will lead you to the Pru Life UK Football for a Better Life series of tournaments. With the absence of a national step-ladder tournament in the age group, the event served a need in areas where there are a dearth of tournaments.
“Pru Life UK’s help in promoting football all over the country was a big boost to the beautiful game. Never mind the Azkals as the national team could always find sponsors. The main casualty of the pull out is grassroots football...Why can’t the organizers of ‘Football For a Better Life’ and Pru Life UK sit down once and for all and talk for the sake of football and our children. Spend for the development of youth football. Do not keep the pockets of your lawyers full,” he wrote in his column.
If it’s going to the courtroom, I doubt there’s going to be any reconciliation. I just hope that another company will step in Pru Life’s shoes.
Football in the country needs a major sponsor, one that could not only take care of the national team but the grassroots as well.
Hmmm. I think I need an energy drink while I think of a potential sponsor.
Anyone got a Milo?