PFF finalizes blueprint for pro league

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has set the wheels in motion for the creation of a National League that’s truly professional and nationwide in scope.

PFF president Nonong Araneta said they expect to wrap up the qualitative and quantitative studies they commissioned for the project by this month and then move forward from there.

“So far, the studies have shown very encouraging signs. Football supporters are really looking forward to a pro league in cities outside of Metro Manila,” Araneta told The STAR

“There’s Cebu, Iloilo and Bacolod. We have also identified strong support for the pro league in Zamboanga, Davao, Cagayan de Oro as well as Laguna, Bulacan, Makati, Manila, and Cavite. These are the areas that will mostly likely have home teams based on fan support,” he added.

The PFF chief added that sponsors have expressed interest in the league, which the Asian Football Confederation will help set up.

“There are a lot of companies that are willing to sponsor also. We have yet to finish the study on the local companies in the respective areas but nationally, we have big companies that are willing to support,” he added.

The AFC, he said, will assign an expert to help the PFF with the nitty-gritty.

“We already wrote the AFC so that they can assign somebody here to help us start the league. And I understand they have one person in mind who had started a league before; he was the one who helped the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). He’s familiar with starting a league and negotiating with sponsors,” said Araneta.

The PFF looks to complete the preparatory steps within the year.

“Hopefully, we can start the National League by 2017,” said Araneta.