MANILA (27 Nov 2011) – Interim president Mariano Araneta got fresh mandate to lead the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) for another four years following the annual PFF Congress in Mandaluyong where representatives of 32 football associations gave their confidence.
Elected to the PFF Board were Charlie Cojuangco, Dick Emperado, Richard Montayre and Dan Palami for Visayas, Ronald Tulay, Diobe Arellano, Leopoldo Arnaiz and Mario Garovillo for Luzon and Ramon Manlunas, Cabili Sinsuat, Flaviano Fucoy and Abenir Labja for Mindanao.
In his acceptance speech, Aranete outlined the need to focus more on grassroots programs, give more exposure to the national team and organize more tournaments.
“We will prioritize grassroots, the national teams and of course to the women’s team because they have shown tremendous effort and improvement,” said Araneta (seated in the middle of pix).
“The popularity of the sport has grown tremendously over the past year. I think in general, people involved in Philippine football have done a good job.”
Araneta also announced that the PFF will initiate a partnership programme with the AFC (Asian Football Confederation), the Japan Football Association and the German Football Federation in the implementation of the grassroots program that will be launched early next year.
