Azkals seek to expand, solidify diverse fan base before Germany trip

by Earl Victor Rosero
The men's national football team left for Germany on Sunday for two weeks of intensive training before they meet Sri Lanka on June 29 for the first leg of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.

But before leaving, Azkals team management and a core group of rabid fans kicked off a campaign designed to make Filipinos "believe that [the] Azkals can bring more honor to our country."

Launch pad for the campaign dubbed 'We Believe' was at the activity center of a mall in North Triangle, Quezon City. Flag-themed face paint, photo wall pictures, and a yellow vuvuzela were among the souvenirs some football fans got from their lunchtime trip to the mall. Those who stayed on a little longer or came mid-afternoon got to meet the Azkals up close.

'Kaholeros' booster squad members energize footabll fans at the 'We Believe' campaign launch. GMA News

Among the invited guests were 30 children in the care of a shelter for abandoned kids. They joined the 'booster squad' christened 'Kaholeros' in shouting chants to the beat of water container drums. Glady Bunao, executive director of the House of Refuge Foundation, said meeting the Azkals is “very good exposure" for her wards and “an opportunity for them to witness Filipino champions, who will inspire them to become better Filipino children."

Hundreds of fans cheered and took pictures when the national football team went up the stage.


Some fans shell out cash

One component of the ‘We Believe’ campaign is a fan club. At the launch, those who signed up shelled out P150 for the membership card, a face paint session and a souvenir picture at a photo wall.

But they first had to purchase at least one item from an array of souvenirs sold at a booth. Among the cheapest items were white t-shirts with Azkals logo costing P300 each, but some preferred to get the P500 colored t-shirts. Listed members were given loot bags, each containing a plastic vuvuzela and giveaways from some Azkals sponsors. Forty bleachers tickets to the July 3 Philippines-Sri Lanka match at the Rizal stadium were raffled off.

The first stop for Azkals fans seeking 'We Believe' membership is the souvenir booth. GMA News

Categories of membership categories range from ‘monthly’ for a fee P350, to 'annual’ at P5,000. "This way we can raise funds for our team and empower fans to be a part of the team thru membership," the organizers said in their 'We Believe' campaign statement.

"Members may receive premium tickets to home games, premium merchandise, discounted tickets, access privileges and other perks such as discounts," the organizers also said. Planned events include street parties at various Ayala properties, exhibition games, a football clinic, and online contests via Azkals Facebook pages.

Football also for the poor

To promote football among the poor, groups like Fair Play for All and Homeless World Cup Team Philippines, give underprivileged kids exposure to the sport in different ways.

Fair Play for All, Mango Tree House and the Asian Students Christian Foundation helped about 30 kids from Payatas and Kasiglahan in Quezon City by bringing them to the June 5 exhibition match between the Azkals and a selection of United Football League players at the University of Makati (UMak).

Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge shares football skills pointers with young fans. GMA News

"With some help from good friends and supporters Ebong Joson, Jaron Genota and Ryan Fenix, we were able to get the kids tickets and provide food for the day as they watched a really exciting game between the UFL All Stars and the Philippine National team," said Roy Moore, one of the coaches of the Payatas and Kasiglahan children who play football.

Meanwhile, Homeless World Cup-Team Philippines and Real Jeepney Football Club promote football among the poor through ‘futbol sa kalye’ or street soccer. They recently conducted a street soccer summer league with culminating matches last May 28 at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City. The champions in the senior and junior divisions were the teams from Barangay Tatalon. Special awards went to various players from Barangays Tatalon, Batasan Hills, and UP Campus.

Honest janitor to sit with Azkals

At the 'We Believe’ launch, the Azkals heaped praise on a janitor of the UMak, who found P86,500 in the bleachers of the city university's football field. Christopher Gobres reported the cash he found as a lost-and-found item. The owner was found and the cash was returned. The Azkals rewarded Gobres with ‘special access’ at the July 3 World Cup Qualifiers home match at Rizal stadium. Source