Matapos ang masinop na paghahanap ng talento sa nakalipas na dalawang buwan, 12 football player kabilang ang isang batang taga-Basilan ang napili ng Globe Telecom para katawanin ang bansa sa pamosong Astro Kem Bola Advanced Training Programme sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Nakatakda ang football camp sa Setyembre 13-17.

May edad na 10 hanggang 12, tampok na kalahok sa Philippine Team si Roniel Vincent Delumpines – isang Grade Six student mula sa Isabela City, Basilan -- na nagpamalas ng katangian ng isang tunay na atleta matapos magsakripisyo ng 15 oras na paglalakbay para makarating sa Davao City at makasama sa isinagawang TM Football Para sa Bayan (TM FPSB) camp.

Ang TM FPSB ang katuwang ng Astro Kasih, isang corporate foundation at corporate social responsibility arm ng Malaysian media and entertainment powerhouse Astro, sa hangaring mabigyan ang mahihirap na kabataang Pinoy, ng pagkakataon na sanayin at hasain ang kanilang talento na magagamit nila sa pagbuo ng pangarap sa buhay.

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“The Astro Kem Bola programme aims to provide a comprehensive learning and football development experience. Through it, we have seen talented kids grow into well-rounded athletes playing in the Malaysian national youth team on an international platform. We are privileged to be able to play a role in their development and look forward to do the same for the youth of Philippines and other ASEAN countries,” pahayag ni Datuk David Michael Yap, Vice President - Community Affairs ng Astro.

Makakasama ni Delumpines na maglalakbay patungong Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia sina Leoven Jay Gatungay ng San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; Lance Lawrence Locsin ng Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Martin Joshua Meriño ng Binan, Laguna; at Jared Alexander Peña at Ryan Philip Johansson mula sa Metro Manila.

Sa kababihan, napili sina Jasmine Casandra Agustin at Isabelle Renee Taojo ng Davao City; Astrid Heiress Ignacio, Stella Maria Divino, at Ysabella Samonte ng Manila. at Mikaela Jacqueline Villacin ng Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Kabilang ang 12 masuwerteng bata sa mahigit sa 600 footballers na nakiisa sa TM football clinics na ginanap sa Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo; Talisay City, Negros Occidental; Davao City; at Metro Manila.

Matapos ang pagsasanay sa Astro Camp, sasabak ang Pinoy laban sa Singapore at Malaysia para makamit ang pagkakataong na makadalo sa Europe training camp sa Disyembre. Libre ang naturang gastusin.

“For four years now, Globe through TM Football Para sa Bayan has been reaching out to kids especially those from the countryside and from the marginalized sector in order to develop their skills and give them the opportunity to secure a good future. Thus, we are thankful to Astro for partnering with us in this undertaking which we believe will help uplift the lives of the youth and bring them closer to their dreams,” sambit ni Fernando Esguerra, Globe Director for Citizenship.

Pinangasiwaan ang TM football clinics ng Green Archers United (GAU), isang professional football league na napiling kasangga ng Globe Telecom sa isinulong na programa para sa football grassroots program.

“TM, being a brand for the youth, is always after the development of our young people. One of the ways to do this is through TM Football Para sa Bayan. We are using the power of sports to instill in the youth the importance of possessing the right attitude, good values, and a good education. Hopefully, through the sports communities and the tie up with Astro, we can create more opportunities for the kids across the country,” pahayag naman ni Ray Guinoo, TM Portfolio and Brand Head.