FUTBOL REVOLUTION: Philippines-Slovakia Sports Cooperation 2010

FUTBOL REVOLUTION
Eyes on the Ball, Eyes on the Goal!
Philippines-Slovakia Sports Cooperation 2010

"First they ignore you.
Then they laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then you win."

This proverbial line of perhaps one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known, Mahatma Gandhi, is the moving inspiration of young football athletes who participated in the recently concluded Futbol Revolution, the first ever sports collaboration between the Slovak Republic and the Philippines in terms of selecting soccer players under the age of 12 years old to compete in the global arena. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is still far from being a popular sport in the Philippine setting. However, the potential is just too enormous to be ignored by the VGent Group of Companies. As such, through ProTrade Consultancy Services, Inc., the VGent Group initiated cooperation between Slovakian-based Gasmonta, s.r.o. and Philippine primer producer of young athletes, Don Bosco Makati, to conduct Futbol Revolution to facilitate local competitiveness in international sports.

The campaign to promote association football in the Philippines included selection and knowledge-transfer activities, Don Bosco Makati supplied the candidates for selection while Gasmonta, s.r.o. provided football experts from Slovak Republic. Over 100 young athletes were initially screened and 85 made it through the first selection process. Upon further funneling of players, 20 young athletes were selected and finally, ten (10) skillful kids composed the team. The final ten (10) football youngsters are Paolo Joaquin M. Barro, Carlo Jose T. Bolleser, Artuz Aaron D.G. Cezar, Bernardo L. Cloza III, Kyle Danzel R. Fajardo, Juan Paolo P. Lukban, Juan Marco C. Matriano, Mark Adrian A. Miralles, Juan Clipper D. Rombano and Benedict Matthew D. Santos.

Head Coach Edgar Robert De Jesus, together with Assistant Coaches Michael Jayson Agbayani, Aquilino Pastoral III and Aprolinar Arenal all made sure that the young football athletes receive continuous training to prepare them for international events coordinated by Gasmonta, s.r.o. opening up opportunities of sports cooperation between the Philippines and Slovakia as well as the greater European Union.

When asked about the Futbol Revolution and how its entire concept came about, VGent Group of Companies Chairman Emeritus Mr. Felicisimo Gorospe reminisces, "almost 40 years ago, during the 1970’s, I started my passion for sports and organizing sports event when I was still the sports coordinator in my previous job. I never stopped. So when the concept came about organizing a football team in the Philippines supported by our Slovakian friends, I didn’t think twice, I knew we had to make sure this materializes.”

Looking back at the primary driving force in participating, Gasmonta, s.r.o. President Mr. Joseph Planchar noted in native Slovakian, “we saw the potential in the Philippines, especially the young ones, considering their enthusiasm in sports. So it is only a matter of time before they get engaged in football, and we in Gasmonta would like to help it start so we started and participated in this expertise and knowledge transfer of football techniques from Slovakia to the Philippines so they can participate in international events.”

On the receiving end, Don Bosco Makati Sports Coordinator Rederick Eugenio said, “Don Bosco has been very active in the football or soccer arena. I am proud to say that we are very happy that international partners such as Gasmonta, s.r.o. have seen the potential of Filipino players through Don Bosco. It’s just very inspiring!”

During the selection process, Slovakian Trainer Mr. Joseph Dudic commented that “we (they) were very happy about the results of the try-out and selection. The children are very competitive considering their young age. Definitely, football has a future here in a Philippines.” On the other hand, Head Coach Bobby De Jesus observed that “Filipino kids are undoubtedly very competitive. We have the skills, we have the spirit. Now, it’s good that we have international partners like Slovakia. I think we are ready.”

Ten year-old Mark Adrian Miralles, who made it to the cut, further noted with enthusiasm, “I am very happy to be part of the team. We went through a lot to get selected. I am also happy to have foreign trainers because they are good. I hope we win.” Mark’s mother, Mrs. Emma Miralles, on the other hand felt and indicated that “it’s very good to see a (your) kid learn values and be competitive through sports. Football is a very good sport for a (my) child. It is not only inspiring, it’s rewarding as a parent.”

Finally, VGent Group of Companies Overall Chairman Mrs. Erlinda Gorospe, closed the event saying, “our commitment to sports is rooted within our Filipino values and competitiveness. Football is an area that we in VGent would like to help and be involved with. Thanks to Gasmonta, Don Bosco, ProTrade and other corporate and individual donors and supporters, we see a very good future for this endeavor.”