U-23 Azkals get SEAG nod

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has approved the inclusion of the under-23 men’s football team for the Singapore Southeast Asian Games, an official from the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) said yesterday.

PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes said the team received confirmation from the POC last Thursday, marking the country’s return to the biennial sportfest following its absence two years ago in Myanmar.

“We’re happy with the sudden turn of events,” said Gastanes. “We’ve been in close coordination with the POC just to make sure that we will be able to send a team to the SEA Games.”

The PFF was supposed to field a team for the Myanmar conclave but its request was denied by the POC for failing to meet its criteria.

So frustrated with the decision then that PFF President Nonong Araneta threatened not to send a team in future meets.

But the PFF sang a different tune this time, hoping that their participation in Singapore will pay dividends.

Manila Bulletin