MANILA, Philippines – Football fanatics and casual fans will be given a treat when they visit "Soccer Fiesta 2010" at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City as the 3-weekend event continues its run on Saturday.
The event, where participants can compete in a real or virtual arena, is organized by lubricants company Castrol Philippines, nonprofit organization Futbol sa Kalye (Futkal) and events company Real Sports Authority.
The Soccer Fiesta 2010 kicked off last April 10 to 11 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The second leg takes place at the SM Megamall from April 17 to 18 while the last leg will be held from May 1 to 2 at the BLOCK Atrium in SM City North EDSA in Quezon City.
Real Sports Authority president Rely San Agustin said the biggest challenge in promoting football locally is that the Philippines is a "basketball country".
“The Philippines is a basketball country while in every other country, football is the No. 1 spectator sport in the world,” he said Tuesday in an interview on “Mornings@ANC.”
But organizers believe that football is a sport that Filipinos can explore and even excel in.
“This is one sport I believe the Philippines can be up there,” said Castrol Philippine Country Representative Marcelo Sota, Jr.
Soccer Fiesta aims to drum up interest and awareness of the world’s most popular sport, with the 2020 FIFA World Cup in South Africa just 2 months away.
San Agustin said: “I think now is the opportunity to let the Filipinos know that ‘Hey, here's another sport where we can excel in.”
He cited that the Philippines was one of the top football countries in Asia in the 1970s.
Fascinating and beautiful
Participants in the Soccer Fiesta 2010 can look forward to individual events such as PS3 challenges, foosball competitions, skills challenges and even face painting for those who will buy FIFA World Cup merchandise.
The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., is open to all ages except for the Castrol Skills Challenge that is open for ages 18 and above. Admission is free.
Futkal, the organization that promotes football in depressed areas in Metro Manila, will facilitate various activities at The Castrol Arena.
The “Futkaleros,” led by their founder Peter Amores, will facilitate the Dribbling Competition, Juggling Competition, Beat the Goalkeeper, Kick for a Prize and Skills Challenge Competition, the soccer version of the NBA All-Star skills challenge.
Amores, also a social entrepreneur, said that the Soccer Fiesta is “one way to enjoy your summer.”
Moreover, he talked about the wonder of football: “It’s such a fascinating sport, such a large scale sport with 11 players… It’s a mind game with a lot of physical interaction, a beautiful game to watch.”
For more information, visit http://www.soccerfiesta2010.multiply.com.
Soccer Fiesta
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