Anim sa 12 batang football player na napili sa isinagawang TM Football Para sa Bayan Program na nagtungo para sa isang de-kalidad na training camp sa Malaysia ang nahugot para makasama sa 12-araw na Astro Kem Bola Overseas Training Program sa Barcelona, Spain.

Ikinatuwa mismo ni dating Azkals member at ngayon ay national coach na si Chieffy Caligdong sa pagdalo nito sa lingguhang Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum sa Shakey’s, Malate kasama si Rofil Magto, Globe Country Manager ang pagkakapili sa anim na manlalarong Pinoy.

“We are so happy with our young football players being chosen to join a high class, advance training and football schooling with some of the Spanich club’s most revered coaches and trainers,” sabi ni Caligdong.

Ang anim na batang napili na may edad 10-12 anyos ay sina Lance Lawrence Locsin, Jared Alexander Pena, Ryan Philip Johannson, Astrid Heiress Ignacio, Mikaela Jacqueiline Villacin at Jasmine Cassandra Agustin.

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“The kids will also get a chance to see legendary football superstar Paulino Alcantara who retired from FC Barcelona after 89 years. Alcantara hails from Iloilo City and has scored 351 goals out of 352 games he played. His record was just recently surpassed by Leonel Messi,” sambit ni Caligdong.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na ang mga homegrown Filipino booters ay makakatapak sa kampo ng FC Barcelona na isa sa popular na koponan sa Premier League.

Ang anim ay produkto ng isinagawang dalawang buwan na TM Football Para sa Bayan (TM FPSB) talent search na inorganisa ng Globe Telecom noong Hulyo at Agosto. Ang Globe ay nilapitan ng Astro Kashi, ang corporate foundation at corporate social responsibility arm ng Malaysian media at entertainment powerhouse na Astro.

“The TM Football Para sa Bayan is now beginning to turn out quality players after four years of incubation. Hopefully this will be an avenue for furtherting the football development in the country. This is just the first step albeit one big, giant step,” sabi ni Globe Director for Citizenship Fernando Esguerra.

Makakasama ng anim na Pinoy footballers ang mahigit na 60 players mula Malaysia at Singapore sa ginanap na Astro Kem Bola camp and try-outs na isinagawa sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia nakaraang buwan. (Angie Oredo)