A TOTAL of 150 participants joined the free-registration football clinic for grassroots level presented by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in partnership with the Davao-South Regional Football Association (DRFA) at the Tionko field on Saturday, May 12.
Participants of the clinic three to 12 years old came from different football clubs and schools.
Twenty 20 volunteer coaches from DRFA led by coaches’ association president Alex Adolfo facilitated the two-hour activity dubbed as "Let's Play!"
The program focused on the skills development of the kids as well as the fundamentals of the sport including dribbling, passing and shooting.
"Actually yearly ni siya nga grassroots program sa AFC. Gina buhat ni para sa development ug pag hatag opportunity sa mga grassroots level. Mag sugod man ta sa grassroots clinic, then festival tapos identification (This is being held annually by AFC to develop and provide opportunity to children in the grassroots level. The program will have a grassroots clinic, grassroots festival then identification),"
Adolfo said in an interview with SunStar Davao on Saturday.
He added that the development of the grassroots is by phase.
"Pag naa ta'y makita na potential ahletes during the clinic and festival i-identify na sila sa mga elite coaches na maapil sad sa mga elite teams na naga apil sa Festival of Football (When we see potential athletes in the clinic and festival, they will be identified to enter the Festival of Football)," Adolfo said.
He also said that after the clinic, athletes may continue and develop their skills through joining regular football festival hosted by DRFA.
Similar clinics are being held in different areas in the country.