AFC awards League Dev’t Award to PFF

MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has recognized the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) for its efforts in setting up the country’s top-flight competition, the Philippines Football League (PFL), and its extensive works in league governance, conferring on it the League Development Award.

PFF president Nonong Araneta, who received the accolade from AFC Development Committee chairman Zhang Jian after the 28th AFC Congress in Kuala Lumpur, said this recognition “will inspire us to improve our league, and our clubs to do better.”

The PFL was launched as the Philippines’ first national pro league in 2017 with Ceres Negros emerging as the inaugural league titlist among the eight squads. On its second season, it successfully staged both league and cup tournaments featuring six teams, won by the Busmen and Kaya FC Iloilo, respectively.

“During the last two years, the attendances have improved, and in the next season, two more clubs will be joining the PFL, which means we are back to maximum strength,” said Araneta. “We also have a new marketing group that will be assisting us, and they will also take care of the commercial aspects of the league, so we are expecting a better performance next season.”  

He credited the PFL for helping improve the quality of play among the Pinoy booters. 

“With the support from AFC, we are delighted that the league has improved the quality of our players. As the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 draws closer, our players will play better because of the league,” said Araneta.

According to the AFC, the PFF is only the second recipient of the League Development Award, with the United Arab Emirates Football Association granted the first last February for its unique project on media training designed for professional players.