THE PHILIPPINE Under 14 football team also known as the Little Azkals now has an official sponsor in Mafro Sports.
Team manager Richard Montayre inked a two-year deal with Mafro director Mahmoud Gomda last Monday in Singapore.
According to its website, Mafro Sports is an international company that was set up to provide alternative sporting needs to those sports enthusiasts looking to achieve their goals. Its main office is in South Africa and it also has an office in Singapore.
Mafro Sports will supply the U-14 team’s outfit needs, travel and competition gears for the next two years. It will also sponsor a major competition in the Philippines for the Little Azkals and one international camp each year under the contract.
Mafro Sports has also extended its support to the Center for Excellence (CFE) program, which will be revived later this year as part of the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) thrust to focus on the grassroots and youth development.
Montayre said Mafro Sports wants to partner with Coca-Cola in sponsoring the CFE.
LITTLE AZKALS ACADEMY
Mafro Sports has also discussed the possibility of building an artificial pitch for the planned Little Azkals Academy.
Montayre said it will be a joint venture to make a football school or academy here in Cebu.
“We will provide the area, they will provide the artificial pitch, dressing rooms, sports shop and bar,” Montayre said.
The academy will serve as the home of the current Little Azkals and the incoming new ones who will be identified in inter-CFE competitions and other talent identification programs.
The Little Azkals team manager said the project will be in cooperation with the PFF.
Meanwhile, PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, who just arrived from Europe, said he is very happy with the progress of the U-14 team.
He reiterated PFF’s thrust of concentrating on the grasroots and youth development because this will be our best chance to improve Philippine football. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON