Philippine Army Welcomes Football Champions
FORT BONIFACIO, METRO MANILA - The Philippine Army takes pride in the
Philippine Army Football Team who recently won in the First Castrol
World Cup Pilipinas held at the Bulwagang Ipil-Ipil grounds, CCP
Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City from May 29 to June 20.
This morning, Army chief Lt Gen Reynaldo B Mapagu welcomed the members
of the Philippine Army Team, their coaches and some family members at
the Headquarters Philippine Army, and extended his commendation for a
job well done.
The Philippine Army Football Team is composed of a men's team (senior
team) while the children and youth team comprise the Philippine Army
Football Club (PAFC). Both the senior team and the PAFC have always been
top forces in the football arena, garnering runner-up and championship
titles in various regional, national and even international tournaments.
The Philippine Army entered the Football Arena as a team in early 1960.
It was founded through the effort of the Philippine Army Special
Services Unit under the direction of the Commanding General. It was
composed of soldiers from different units of the Army all over the
country and was organized with the special purpose to represent the
Philippine Army in the AFP Olympics, a top sporting event for four major
commands in the AFP. After an impressive performance in the said event,
Army decided to compete also in various local tournaments as part of its
civil-military operations program to maintain good relation with the
civilian populace. After several years, the Philippine Army Football
Team has already become a top contender not just in local but in
international competitions as well.
Meanwhile, seeing the potential in children, investing in their
capabilities, helping them realize their dreams, the Philippine Army put
up the Philippine Army Football Club primarily to cater to the needs of
all football enthusiasts in the Army community, especially the youth
aged 6-18 years old. The club was later on opened to children of
non-military personnel who have shown talent and interest to play the
game but had little means to pursue their love of the game and hone
their skills.
The soccer field of the Army Support Command (ASCOM) in Fort Bonifacio
is the home of the PA Football Team and the PA Football Club, and their
programs are supported by ASCOM and its commander, MGen Jose S Gaverza,
who is himself a talented and dedicated football player.
Apart from besting other teams in the recently concluded First Castrol
World Cup Pilipinas, a four-weekend tournament participated in by 12
countries and organized by the Sunken Garden United Football Club, the
senior team also placed runner-up in the United Football League (UFL)
held in Parañaque last March.
Like their senior counterparts, the PAFC also excelled not just in local
but international competitions as well. In July last year, members of
the PAFC comprised the 12th Philippine Youth Team which competed in the
DINA Cup in Hjorring, Denmark. The Philippine Team was the first Asian
Team to ever make it to the top 16 among the 164 competing countries.
The team also placed third in the Norway Cup in Oslo, Norway. Locally,
the club bested other teams in the recently concluded Visayan Football
Caravan 2010 as well as in the 1st Hyundai Manila Cup Football Festival.
With numerous championship trophies under its name, the Philippine Army
Football Team never fails to make the Philippine Army proud. Lt Gen
Mapagu extolled the athletes to continue giving their best as they carry
the colors of Team Army. The Army, in return, will continue to support
the programs of the team, the children specifically, by molding them
into real champions in the field and in the larger arena of life. #
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