Uruguay coach tapped to revive Aurora football

BALER, Aurora, Philippines  – A grassroots-based sports program intended to inspire a renaissance of player and fan interest in football following the emergence of the Azkals has been launched in this capital town with an internationally renowned coach – no less – leading the way among local coaches and young football players.

Dubbed “Aurora Plays Football” (APF), the program was launched during a press briefing at the Bahia 2 here By Rommel Angara, chief of staff of Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara.

The sports program is a pooled project of the Angaras led by Sen. Edgardo Angara, the office of Rep. Angara, the provincial government led by Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and the Rural Empowerment Assistance and Development Foundation, Inc.

Uruguay football coach Maor Rozen, who was tapped by the Angaras for the program, said APF intends to set into place a program of activities that would promote football in the province.

Rozen carries with him an impressive resume as head coach and player which has seen him barnstorm Europe as a licensed UEFA national coach in Uruguay, as professor/instructor/lecturer in Spain, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Brazil, Morocco, Myanmar and the Philippines, conducting clinics in Negros, Bacolod and Aurora.

He is also a permanent fixture in coaching activities held under the auspices of the Federation Internationale de Football Association as head coach of six foreign teams.

As a player, Rozen was a member of the Club Nacional de Futbol, the U17 national team, the University Sports League (FISU) and the National Football Senior League, all of Uruguay.      

Rozen said APF intends to create a pool of local football talents who may be tapped for the national team by carrying out a comprehensive skills training regimen for local coaches and players.