RICARDO “Ricky” Yanson Jr.’s Saturday announcement of his intention to run as Philippine Football Federation (PFF)president in November is music to the ears of the football community (of course, including me).
Ricky has efficiently run the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) the past years, even generously spending his own money to build the grassroots football program of the FA and also helping to develop the referees and coaches.
Right now, NOFA is the envy of the Philippine football community for it has first class football venues, many licensed coaches and referees and thousands of registered players all over Negros Occidental.
Whoever has participated in the NOFA U13 Cup can attest how efficient the Negros Occidental FA has been run.
I don’t want to go in details but I covered the NOFA Cup last year. From the start to finish there were no hustles, no complaints. It was perfect.
The best players from the NOFA Cup are then plucked to represent the country in an age group tourney in China.
Aside from the NOFA Cup, Ricky Yanson Jr. also has a Dynamic League named after his giant construction firm Dynamic Builders and Construction Company, the biggest in Negros Island.
He is part owner of the family-owned giant bus company Vallacar Transit Inc., arguably the biggest in the Philippines with more than 4,000 buses plying nationwide.
Ricky has been known as the footballantrophist since he was a student and a football varsity of University of St. La Salle (USLS).
I remember when I was coaching University of San Carlos (USC) varsity team in the 90’s, the USLS varsity team -- under then legendary coach Nene Lazarito -- had visited us at the USC Talamban campus in Cebu City.
USLS played a friendly game against USC with Ricky and his younger brother Leo Rey tagging along with the team.
Even after graduation, Ricky and Leo Rey have never stopped supporting USLS football varsity program.
Ricky and Leo Rey have gone separate ways but their love for the beautiful game have never stopped. Leo Rey has set up his Ceres-Negros professional football team, while Ricky has become the main supporter of grassroots football and then became the president of NOFA succeeding Charlie Cojuangco.
The Dynamic Football League has attracted football teams in various age groups from the entire province of Negros Occidental. Why? Simple.
Teams get free transport through the Ceres buses to play in Bacolod City. Now, why do you think football is the number 1 sport in Negros Occidental?
Forget the business squabbles between the Yanson siblings. Ricky is ready to help Philippine football and spend his own money to develop the sport in our country. Let’s support him.
(To be continued l.biantan@gmail.com)