Anim na batang Pinoy ang makakatuntong sa pamosong football pitch ng FC Barcelona.
Sasailalim sa masusing pagsasanay sa Astro Kem Bola Overseas Training Programme sa Barcelona, Spain sina Lance Lawrence Locsin, Jared Alexander Peña, Ryan Philip Johansson, Astrid Heiress Ignacio, Mikaela Jacqueline Villacin at Jasmine Cassandra Agustin.
Ang anim ay napili mula sa dalawang buwang pagsasanay na isinagawa ng TM Football Para sa Bayan (TM FPSB) talent search na inorganisa ng Globe Telecom nitong Hulyo at Agosto.
Napili ng Malaysian media and entertainment powerhouse Astro ang Globe na maging kasangga sa talent search na isinagawa sa loob ng dalawang buwan.
Kinalugdan ni Globe Director for Citizenship Fernando Esguerra ang pagkakapili ng anim na batang Pinoy na nakalusot mula sa matinding pagsasanay kasama ang ibang kabataan mula sa South East Asian region.
Kabilang ang anim sa 12 Pinoy na sumabak sa pagsasanay sa Astro Kem Bola Advanced Training Programme na ginanap sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“We are so happy with the turn-out, to think that this is the first time that Globe has partnered with Astro in this international activity. We are looking forward to being part of the Astro Kem Bola program again in the succeeding years,” pahayag ni Esguerra.
“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 furthering the football development in the country. This is just the first step albeit one big, giant step,” aniya.
Makakasama ng delegasyon ng Pilipinas ang 22 kabataan mula sa Malaysia at apat na Singaporean para magsanay sa pangangasiwa ng mga premyadong coach ng FC Barcelona.
“Astro is committed to championing sports and sportsmanship to aspiring athletes within the region. We continue this commitment through Astro Kem Bola,” sambit ni Datuk David Michael Yap, Astro vice president of community affair.
“Nothing is more rewarding than seeing potential turn into reality. In a special way for these young kids, the experience gives them a unique opportunity to really see how far their talent can develop at such an early age. I’m sure they will do us proud,” pahayag naman ni Ray Guinoo, TM Portfolio and Brand Head.
Ayon kay TM FPSB technical director at Green Archers United coach Hans Peter Smit, napili ang anim hindi lamang sa taglay na talento bagkus sa ipinamalas kakayahan sa teamwork; discipline, behavior and sportsmanship; communication on and off the pitch; positive attitude sa mga kasama, volunteers, at coaches; gayundin ang kakayahan na makaintindi sa instructions ng coach.