Business of Football - Philippines' Conference Sets Roadmap for Growth of the Sport in the Country

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Photo Caption: Front Row (L-R): LaLiga’s Almudena Gomez Benito, LaLiga Managing Director for SEA, Japan, Korea and Australia Ivan Codina, PFF General Secretary Atty. Ed Gastanes, MMC Sportz CEO Eric Gottschalk and SMG Insight Managing Director Frank Saez.
 
The recent success of The Azkals, with their Asian Cup qualification, and their FIFA ranking at its highest at 111, has given football a renewed confidence, and a positive outlook in terms of the growth of the sport in the Philippines.  

Football is now tipped to become the fastest growing sport in the country, with the largest potential for success commercially, and in terms of on-pitch success.  The sport which is currently number 3 in the Philippines in terms of popularity and participation, after basketball and boxing, is said to be still further behind compared to other sports, such as volleyball, billiards, etc., in terms of TV coverage.

These were among the insights and trends gathered from top-notch executives of organizations such as AFC, PFF, PFL, LaLiga, Dentsu X, SMG Insight, Globe Telecom, RSportz, Toby Sports and Manila Times, at the ‘Business of Football - Philippines’, organized by MMC Sportz.  The sold-out event was attended by more than 185 local and foreign delegates on 18 May 2018 at the New World Makati Hotel.  

MMC Sports CEO Eric Gottschalk says, “Research in this market, shows that TV is still the number one platform here in the Philippines, and is the number one medium that advertisers are looking for, to spend their budgets on.  We also learned that live TV coverage actually stimulates stadium attendance, and not vice versa.  If there’s more football on TV, we will see more fans in the stadium.  Currently football is not ranked among the top 100 TV programmers in the Philippines and is only number 3 sport in terms of participation and popularity after basketball and boxing.  Football needs media in order to drive commercial revenues for the clubs.”  

“Now is also the perfect time to get involved in football since sponsorship and advertising opportunities are currently very affordable compared for example to basketball, but this is predicted to change within the next 6-12 months, as values are expected to increase sharply.  Football also needs to create more idols and heroes to attract more media coverage overall, other than just covering game scores. Each team has a unique story which just needs to be told,” says Gottschalk.

Following the presentation about the Philippines Football League (PFL) it was agreed that the PFL now fills the lack of regular created football content as the leagues matches (87 in 2018/19 season) contribute year-round stories to keep football in the news. In the past, the main talking points were around the Azkals which only play very few home matches each year.     

Public education about the game of football is also needed on all levels as many people in the Philippines are still not aware about the rules or aware of programs available like coaching academies, amateur competitions, or how and where to follow the professional league.  Ten thousand (10,000) qualified grassroots coaches are also needed to satisfy the local demand and to trigger strong football development and growths.

Investors on the other hand are looking for consistency and credibility of the football product but with the PFL in the second season and foreign sponsors expected to invest in the Philippines, local brands should consider to follow suit.  

On the sports retail side, only 1.5% of current retail sales are attributed to football, while basketball enjoys a healthy 46% market share. As a result, only limited line items and stocks are available in stores and entry level boots and replica jerseys are too high priced to be affordable for the average consumer.

The national player registration program, MY PFF, has been launched with the objective to collect vital statistics and data about the football community which is urgently needed to support the youth football development strategy of the PFF and to develop a players pathway.  As FIFA has mandated to register the estimated 1.5 million players in the Philippines, the PFF has urged organizers and players to already register online as by next month only registered players will be allowed to participate in sanctioned events.

The “Business of Football – Philippines” conference also announced 36 career opportunities related to sports and football, including positions in marketing, legal, competition management and coaching, with all these listing being available online with MMC Sportz or for direct inquiries with the PFF.

In his closing remarks, MMC Sportz CEO Eric M. Gottschalk stated that “More importantly, Don’t Break the 12th Man! It is important that all stakeholders don’t forget to engage with the fans. The fans are the most important aspect of the development of football in the Philippines – if there are no fans of football then there is no media, no spectators, no players, no games, no business. Everyone is required to ensure we keep the fans (football consumers) engaged year-long and the first step would be to get the media behind the game. There is a strong football - community out there already and hopefully, we the TV broadcasters will take another look at football and give them at least some consideration on the program schedule. 

I believe today’s conference was a great success.  We brought the football community together, stimulated thinking, exchanged ideas and transferred a lot of knowledge. Now it is up to the football stakeholders to continue the progress. 

From our end (and with the approval of the PFF) we will stage the 2nd edition of BOF early 2019 and hopefully we will be able to report on some of the changes initiated today.”   

Speakers who shared their insights include LaLiga Managing Director for South East Asia, Japan, Korean and Australia Ivan Codina, AFC Head of MA Services Domeka Garamendi, SMG Insight Managing Director Frank Saez, Azkals Team Manager Dan Palami, Globe Director for OIC, Citizenship and Advocacy Marketing Miguel Bermundo, PFL CEO Lazarus Xavier, PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes, Ignite Sports Group Managing Director Michael Reyes,  Asian Replica Designs Founder & Owner Jonathan Mallinson, Quorum Group President & COO Jose Claudio, Jr., Mediapro Asia Director of Sales and Sponsorship Salauddin Sinnakandu, and MMC Sportz Marketing CEO Eric Gottschalk. 

Organized by MMC Sportz Asia, the event was sanctioned by the Asia Football Confederation (AFC) and the Philippines Football Federation (PFF), and sponsored by La Liga, Dentsu X, SMG Insight, RSportz, Globe Telecom, Toby’s Sports, Manila Times and Platinumlist. 

AIESEC Proudly Presents the Global Youth Fair

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Global Youth Fair (GYF), anticipated by many is an annual event of AIESEC in University of Santo Tomas held at the Plaza Mayor, of University of Santo Tomas last April 20, 2018. GYF aims to give Thomasians a glimpse of the different culture and global opportunities of different countries to support any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and create a positive impact on the world. Despite the sweltering heat on a searing Friday afternoon, the contributors of the event ardently promoted all the opportunities to create awareness.

On this year’s Global Youth Fair, it gave a glimpse of 6 different countries - Mexico, South Korea, Brazil, China, Cambodia, and France, and showcased its cultures and traditions through different booth games in relation to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It allowed the Thomasian community to see the world from a different perspective and to contribute in their simple ways. A different worldview gives rise to a more enriching experience.

Through the different booths themed with a particular country, the Global Youth Fair fulfilled to tie together all the rich cultures as one diverse experience. Each booth exhibited its own unique experience and AIESEC IN UST successfully extended this enriching experience to the delegates through the different opportunities it offers.

Veering towards Climate Change and Quality Education, this event attained to bring to light the most prevalent global issues being faced today and offered different ways to tackle it. The Land of the Morning Calm, also known as Korea, was zealously exhibited in a way that promotes wildlife and calls Thomasians to give it the ample support it deserves. Likewise, Brazil, being home to the world-renowned Amazon Rainforest, served as a platform to advocate for finding efficient and sustainable solutions to climate change and at the same time, increase awareness of the climate threats that this country is facing. China, on the other hand, takes the delegates’ educational abilities to a heightened level by enrapturing them to promote a holistic education in this country and help spark their eagerness to build sustainable communities in the future. Moreover, The Kingdom of Wonder, Cambodia, exposed the delegates to lifelong openings in Cambodia that would bring them to a nation rich in historic and archaeological displays.

Aside from tackling the different Sustainable Development Goals, this event also catered to providing opportunities for the delegates to hone their professional skills and talents. The delegates were made aware of the opportunities that could help them further enhance their professional experience in Western Europe. From the fashion institutions and classical art museums - France exposed delegates to its global technology prowess. On top of that, tapping on the hearts of aspiring Marketing practitioners is Mexico, encouraging all the delegates of Global Youth Fair to exit their comfort zones by broadening their networks all the way to the walls of Mexico.

All these opportunities along with the in-depth preparations of Global Youth Fair’s organizing committee, Thomasians from divergent colleges and faculties gathered to take their first step in maximizing their potential as frontrunners of society. Throughout Global Youth Fair, AIESEC in University of Santo Tomas exhausted all means to draw in as much prospective participants as they possibly could.

To know more about AIESEC, visit our website at www.aiesec.org.  Follow us also on www.facebook.com/AIESECPH for more updates!

Luzon-based Advocacy Groups Join in LoveYourself’s HIV Mass Testing

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Four non-government organizations (NGOs) in Luzon will join the “LoveYourself” in its “This is Me: Brave and Free” – a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) community-based mass testing on 26 May 2018. 

To join the HIV testing day on Saturday (11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.), residents from the cities of Mabalacat, Cavite, Puerto Princesa and Legazpi can register through the campaign’s sign-up link at www.bitly.com/ThisIsMe2018. 

In the northwest part of Manila, Pampanga-based group “Juan Posi+ive Movement Association Inc.,” better known as the JPM in Mabalacat City, is one of the major partners of the LoveYourself.

Wayne Baniqued, who founded the JPM in August 2016, said that their group was created because of the “unfortunate experiences” involving the struggles of persons living with HIV (PLHIV). 

“[The] JPM was established with the inspiration to create a support system that will help reduce stigma and help PLHIVs retain their self-esteem, self-worth and self-efficacy,” Baniqued said.       

Baniqued said that the HIV testing will be held at their clinic at 104-B Roxas Street, Barangay Lakandula, Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

In Cavite City, “the Cavite Positive Action Group (CPAG) of the JCH Advocacy Inc.” will set-up its testing screening hubs at 804 Gonzales St., Barangay 11 Sta. Cruz where they will provide not only free screening, but also lectures on HIV. 

Founded by Joseph Honra, the president and chief executive officer of the JCH Advocacy Inc., the group aims to raise HIV awareness and “abolish the rampant discrimination and stigma” to PLHIVs. 

“Grab this opportunity, join us and be part of this tremendous event. Be brave, be a hero, be a friend and be a part of the change,” Honra said as he urged Cavite residents to take part in the campaign.

The H4, which stands for HIV in Roman numeral, will be the host for the community-based screening in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan at Amos Tara Community Center located in #41, Abad Santos Street in Barangay Masipag.

Peers Yuan, Bob, Jester and June, who created the H4, said that they also provide and promote “Health, Help, Hope and Happiness” among PLHIVs and also those infected with other sexually transmitted infections.

“Each of us were created unique, therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of ourselves – regular HIV screening is just one way to take care and value ourselves,” the H4 founders said.

The Bicolanos in Legazpi City can also join “This is Me: Brave and Free” campaign through “GAYon” at 32 Galang Compound, Sampaguita Street, Sagmin, Old Albay, Legazpi City.

Created by a group of young peer educators and of volunteers in a relief operations during typhoons in Albay, the Gayon was organized February 2008 and has started working on educating the youths about the HIV and other STIs.

Aside from lectures, the Gayon also offers workshops and peer education training, counseling, community-based HIV screenings, among other roles in their community especially reaching those from the far-flung areas. 

The LoveYourself has organized “This is Me: Brave and Free” HIV mass testing in bid to raise public awareness and action on it, as records showed that  persons diagnosed with HIV reached 912 in March 2018 alone. It can be noted that regions III, IV and V have increasing HIV cases following the numbers of the National Capital Region (NCR) incurring 294 cases or 32 percent of the total new cases.

The first-ever community-led multi-site HIV testing day is also supported by the DOH through the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and its NCR-Office, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., Save the Children, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines, Philippine NGO Council on Population Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC), AusAID Australian Aid Program and HIVOS Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation.

For more details on the “This Is Me: Brave and Free,” please visit the www.bitly.com/ThisIsMeInfo.