A kid from Cebu City joined a list of eight qualifiers to the Allianz Junior Football Camp Team Pinas Selection.
With dreams of becoming of professional player someday, Richard Jacob Ernest Songalia III expressed his elation of going to a training camp in Bangkok, Thailand this July.
“I will just train hard and hope for the best,” said Songalia, a 10th grader from Don Bosco Cebu.
Songalia, whose dad Richard is a DJ for Y101 FM in Cebu, was accompanied by his mom Chanie, and his two sisters to the Allianz National Youth Futsal Invitational Finals at the Laguna Sports Complex in Bgy. Bubukal, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
After the 16-under boys’ championship game between Global FC and Jaro Iloilo FC, the young Songalia heard his named announced by organizers.
Also in the roster were Juan Miguel Basmaryor of Global FC, John Mar Barsonilla and Justine Marie Mamon.
For the first time, female players will join them in the trip, where three will be selected to go to Munich in September to train under FC Bayern coaches.
Among the female players named were Catherine Angelica Bradborn, Miyuki Takamoto, Ivy Paster and Melona Rafil.
Richard said he was influenced by his father Chad to go into the game at age 7. Chad was team captain of his team while in college.
“I want to be a professional someday. Training in Bangkok will help me improve my skills and meet new people,” said Songalia, who was chosen during the regional meet in Bacolod.
Earlier, two standouts from La Salle Zobel and University of Santo Tomas scored quick goals in the first half to power Global FC to a 3-1 triumph over Jaro Iloilo FC yesterday
The tournament and the selections were done by Allianz PNB Life, Inc., in partnership with the Henry V. Moran Foundation and in coordination with the Philippine Football Federation.