PFF goes deep into grassroots with family

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) launched the Football Starts At Home (FSAH) as its newest flagship program that aims to complement the national teams at the grassroots level in the long haul.

“The PFF aims to produce young talents who are highly skilled ball masters,” John Gutierrez, who’ll mark his first year as PFF president next month.

“With this foundation, these young talents will be ready for team activities and can be honed by coaches towards becoming competitive players who can eventually play for the national pool,” he said.

Philippine football made a historic breakthrough when national women’s team, known as Filipinas, made its debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year in New Zealand, and years ago, the men’s squad, or the Azkals, made an impact in Southeast Asian play thus trumpeting the country as a football force in the region and in the world.

Yet the long haul tops Gutierrez’ totem pole of priorities with emphasis on the grassroots – specifically the Filipino family.

“It all starts at home, with the family, Dad and Mom encouraging the kids to do football,” Gutierrez said. “Fast forward and we have a mass base of potential talent ripe for the national team program.”

The PFF launched the FSAH nationwide and covered at least 30 major cities and provinces starting in Bukidnon in June and General Santos City and Maguindanao last Oct. 10.