MANILA (12 Jan 2011) – Other than the extended assistance from the German FA (DFB), the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) have also received further support from several Middle East countries and Japan.
Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait have agreed to provide a combined USD100,000 annual assistance for the PFF.
“The aid is a big boost to our quest to improve and popularize the sport further following the success of the Azkals at the recent AFF Suzuki Cup where they advanced to the semis for the first time,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta.
Other than finance, the three countries concerned have also assured the PFF that they will be willing to play host to the training camps of the Azkals, in their respective countries. The airfare and board and lodging of the Azkals will be shouldered by the host country, according to the PFF.
Araneta said that the USD100,000 initial funding had already been sent to the PFF while at the same time, he also revealed that the Japan FA (JFA) have also pledged a further USD20,000 for grassroots development.
He also announced that the PFF had already received USD150,000 from the Indonesia FA (PSSI) for their share of gate receipts in the two AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final matches in Jakarta Cup last month.
In the meantime, Araneta said that the much-awaited AFC Challenge Cup match against Mongolia on 9 February will be free for the public at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. The Panaad Stadium has a capacity of 10,000.
