Plans and programs need to be crafted to help provide young and aspiring football players the same opportunities that athletes from other countries enjoy.
Newly elected Philippine Football Federation president John Anthony Gutierrez said this after replacing Mariano “Nonong” Araneta as president of the Philippine Football Federation on Saturday.
Gutierrez spoke about his vision and ideas in the next four years as head of the federation, following the end of the PFF Extraordinary Congress and elections held at the Bellevue Hotel in Muntinlupa City.
“In a nutshell, it’s a gap that I want to bridge. I want us to be able to give the youth the same training (and exposure) opportunities, which is the same training exposures of other countries who are better at football,” said Gutierrez, who wants athletes to be sent to training camps abroad, to play, compete and hone their skills under the watchful eyes of local and foreign coaches.
Gutierrez said the new leadership will seek to continue and build on the successes of programs achieved during the time of Araneta.
The foreign trips that he has in mind for young players will be done on an experimental basis for now.
“Sending these kids to training camps is a temporary plan. Because the main purpose is to provide them with the same kind of training that’s available in other countries,” added Gutierrez.
Representing Bukidnon in the PFF board of governors, Gutierrez will lead the organization for the next four years, from 2023 to 2027, in place of Araneta, who stepped down after 13 years.
Araneta is staying on as FIFA Council Member and AFF Vice President until 2027, and Gutierrez feels that his wisdom is something he values.
For now, Gutierrez said Coco Torre will remain as general secretary of the PFF, with plans to bring in businessman Freddie Gonzales to take over Torre’s position remains under study.
FIFA Council Member Kohzo Tashima of Japan and FIFA Regional Director for Asia and Oceania Sanjeevan Balasingam were around to witness the proceedings.