Smart to seal P10M deal with PFF

BACOLOD City, Philippines – Smart Communications will sign an P80 million partnership deal with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) this Tuesday in Manila, sports marketing and special projects head Patrick Gregorio said in an interview at L’Fisher Hotel here last Tuesday.

Gregorio said based on the memorandum of agreement, Smart Communications will give P8 million to PFF every year for the next 10 years to help improve football in the country.

The P3.5 million of the annual P8 million outlay goes to the planned Football Premiere League, where other companies like Meralco, Maynilad, and Signal TV-5 will come in and help the teams, Gregorio added.

“Our offer is to help, and we’d like to believe that it’s exciting. Our chairman, Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP), wants to help football,” Gregorio said.

“MVP believes that a successful sports program means a solid economy. Sports development contributes to our progress. MVP wants to give our athletes a fighting chance in life. That’s our slogan, Abutin ang Tagumpay,” he added.

Through this partnership, Smart and PFF envision to establish a National Football Tournament with the creation of regional football teams, Gregorio expounded.

Azkals team manager Dan Palami said, “I’m not exactly sure if it would go straight to the national team or the club championship but I’ve already said that putting a Premiere League is the most important thing to do to improve football in our country.”

“Eventually, the Azkals will benefit from this, directly or indirectly. Any help for football and as long as it’s for the good of the Philippine football is welcome news,” Palami added.

The signing of the MOA for the P80 million partnership will coincide with the launch of the MVP Sports Foundation—Goal Pilipinas at Meralco’s multi-purpose hall in Ortigas.

Pangilinan’s companies, Smart and PLDT, are the major sponsors of the AFC Challenge Cup 2010 Qualifiers playoff match between the Philippines and Mongolia at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. – (FREEMAN)