PFF feted by the AFC for Kasibulan

PFF President Mariano Araneta received the AFC President's Award for Grassroots football in the developing category (Photo from PFF)

By Kevin Estrada

For its efforts in promoting the sport in the Grassroots level thru the Kasibulan program, the Philippine Football Federation was feted in the AFC Awards night last December 1 in Abu Dhabi.

PFF President Mariano Araneta was in the Emirati capital to receive the second AFC President's Award for the said program, having been also been given the same award in the 60th anniversary of the Asian Football Confederation here in Manila two years ago.

“I am 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 meaningfull 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,” a grateful Araneta said about the program that was relaunched four years ago.

For 2016, a total of 53 training sessions and festivals were conducted by the PFF nationwide  involving  15,086 youth players and 3,577 teacher-coaches. 

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