Azkals, UFL plan charity match for typhoon victims

y Cheska D. Geli
Monday, December 19, 2011

MOVED by the devastation in Mindanao, football officials are planning a friendly match for the benefit of the victims of tropical storm Sendong.

Officials are working on a friendly game between the Azkals and a selection from the United Football League on Jan. 4 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, which will charge P100 as entrance fee. Those who will watch the game are also requested to bring bed sheets, blankets, clothes and canned goods that will be donated to the victims of the flood.


While the game is ongoing, there will be UFL players stationed in the studio who will receive phone calls from any interested donors who will pledge any amount of goods or support.

To raise more funds, players’ jerseys will be auctioned at the game but organizers are also looking at using e-Bay so that fans from the provinces and overseas can join the auction.

Despite cutting their Christmas break short, the players are interested to play for the charity event as this will be the second time the two teams will meet.

Azkals team manager Dan Palami will also appeal to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to let them use the venue free of charge to support the fund-raising activity.

The PSC charged the Philippine Football Federation P1 million for use of Rizal Stadium during the Azkal vs. LA Galaxy friendly.

Azkals and UFL officials, staff and the players will have their final meeting today, a few hours before the Azkals Christmas party hosted by the Kaholeros, to lay down the plans for the charity game.

Meanwhile, Palami’s team, Global Smartmatic FC, has also cancelled their Christmas party and will instead donate the funds for the gathering to the ongoing relief operations in CDO and Iligan.

“Instead of a party, we will just work out a simple get-together where players will bring their own food and drinks,” said Global head coach Graeme Mackinnon.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on December 20, 2011.