PFF prexy bares post-quarantine plans

Photo from the Philippine Football Federation

by Drew Malihan

MANILA - Philippine Football Federation President Mariano Araneta reveals his plans once the quarantine restrictions were relaxed.

In the "Crossover Podcast" with Cedelf Tupas, Araneta said that there will be two phases of their planned return to the pitch.

"The first phase is really to practice and the second phase is to play," Araneta quipped with hopes that the inter-agency task force will soon allow clubs to resume their training as soon as the restrictions were relaxed to minimum health standards.

Araneta was also pushing for more youth leagues to be launched before the year ends.

"Of course we wanted to start the youth leagues, under-13, under-15, under-17," the PFF president said. "So all of these leagues are at the moment, postponed."

"But nevertheless, it was a setback at the moment but as soon as we will be allowed to start then, we will start again," he added.

Nonong said that due to the money poured by the partnership between the Philippines Football League and main sponsor Qatar Airways, they can start other youth leagues.

He added that the AFF Women's Championship, which will be hosted by the Philippines, will still go through though on a later date.

The PFF head also discussed about his plans with Scott Cooper about the football philosophy that will represent the Filipino brand of football. Cooper has been in the Azkals' coaching staff since 2018 and was not taking the managerial role.

"Scott has prepared a program for that and for the coaches also, whether they will embrace the philosophy by heart," said Araneta, adding that being good is not good enough to be a philosophy "So we really need coaches that are willing to do that (philosophy)."

Araneta is planning to hold a three-legged summit in the island regions of the country to discuss more of Cooper's program, which will include football association presidents, technical directors, and coaches.

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