A football buff writes

A reader sent us e-mail last Thursday in reaction to our column entitled 'Football buff.'

Christopher Fernandez, who is also a resident of Minglanilla, has this to say:

It's disheartening to note that our national sports leaders are not giving importance to football. Instead, attention is geared towards basketball even though no matter how we try, we can't be champion even in Asia since obviously basketball belongs to the giants.

Why can't we rechannel our resources and refocus it in the world's no.1 game? We have a good chance of becoming a champion in Asia since physically we're at par w/ our neighbors. Once we become a powerhouse in football, nations will start looking at us in different perspective.

The media has a big role in influencing the minds of our politicians, sports and business leaders to take a good look on how to shape the future of football in our country. At least, why can't we start with a province-wide football tournament to be spearheaded by our Governor Garcia?

I know for a fact that you're very supportive in this sport as can be read from your columns and I hope that you'll continue promoting this sports to our fellow Cebuanos.

Yours truly,
Chris Fernandez
366 Lipata, Minglanilla, Cebu

* * *

Thanks for your kind words Chris and surely we are looking forward to more football events including something that will have the Capitol helping us.

During the opening of the Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup last September 21 in Mandaue City, Jonathan 'Maxi' Maximo, the president of the Cebu Football Association (Cebu FA) got to meet Gov. Gwen and her son Paulo Garcia.

Maxi is looking forward to a major event in the future similar to the GUV Cup and I think he has been communicating with Paulo since then.

Anybody willing to help not only football, but also any other sport is always welcome and it has to be a joint effort of government and the private sector for it to succeed.

* * *

The GUV Cup will hold its Cluster 2 competition today and tomorrow in the town of Alcoy, unfortunately I would not be able to make it there due to commitments in the city.

The action starts at 8:30 am with the game between Samboan and Santander. Several games will follow after that since the competing towns in this cluster have been divided into two groups.

The crossover semifinals will be held tomorrow followed by the championship match. Only the top two teams per cluster will advance to the Grand Finals.

* * *

Fitness buffs in the Banilad area will have a new place to check out as Workout Fitness Center opens its Banilad branch today.

Workout Fitness Center Banilad is located at the RCBC building. The formal opening ceremony is set at 10 am said Sheila Delgado, who invited me to the event.

Dennis and Sheila Delgado of WFC are long time friends of mine since my early days as a sportswriter. They have also been very supportive in the propagation of bodybuilding as well as helping many of our colleagues here at The FREEMAN stay fit.

Congratulations to Dennis and Sheila and more power to Workout Fitness Center!