Azkals to hold camp in Bacolod

AFTER the successful 1st Teen Azkals festival last August 27-30, the Philippine Men’s Football Team-Azkals will also hold its camp from September 8-15, 2011 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

This was disclosed yesterday by Executive Assistant to Governor Alfredo Marañon and Provincial Sports Cordinator Angel ‘Nonong’ Verdeflor and confirmed by Azkals Team coordinator Patrick Ace Bright.


The said camp, which will be headed by national team head coach Hans Michael Weiss, intends to scout new breed of players from the provinces to boost the national team during the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Indonesia this November, as well as in future international competitions.


This activity is also part of the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) goal to provide a venue for the local talents to be scouted by the national coaches.

Verdeflor said the province has lots of talented football players who can help the national team.

Meanwhile, a friendly match looms between the Azkals and defending PFF-Suzuki U23 National Cup champion Ceres-Negros. However, Verdeflor has yet to confirm, as talks is still ongoing and has not been finalized as of this time.

The goodwill game would be the first time since the February match against Mongolia that the Azkals will be playing again in Panaad.

This will further boost the football awareness in the province.

Verdeflor disclosed that the 1st Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. Negros First Football League will kick off September 17 at the Panaad Park and Stadium.

He added that this tournament will be sponsored by the Negros Football League Association.

As of press time, a meeting on the finality of this tournament is taking place at Luxur’s Place with the list of competing teams expected to be announced.

Verdeflor said the implementation of this sports program is part of the priority agenda of Marañon.

He reiterated that to achieve this goal, the governor wants to eliminate politics in sports and give the athletes more exposures in order for them to be highly competitive and to be more experienced.

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on September 01, 2011.