UK, PHL forge ties thru football

THE British Embassy in Manila and Football for Humanity Foundation (FFH) jointly held the UK-Philippines Friendship Day football camp with partner organisations and beneficiaries as they brought together disadvantaged children from Mindanao to enjoy the fun of football with local community children. They included the Dar Amanah Children’s Village Foundation, Barangay Hoyo and the Laguna Lions FC in a half-day clinic-and-games session conducted by Football Manila and Tala Manila football clubs.

The British Embassy’s Head of Trade and Investments Richard Colley delivered a speech on behalf of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Philippines Daniel Pruce, as he explained the importance of the Friendship Day tradition and further encouraging various organisations to continue their work of uplifting the lives of Filipino children. Colley relayed Pruce’s commitment and support for FFH, as well as football as a sport that “spreads the benefits of exercise, discipline and teamwork.”

As special guest, the Philippine Army’s Commanding General and Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations (G7) Col. Jose Arn M. Real echoed the same benefits and repeated Nelson Mandela’s famous quote on the “power of sports to change the world.” The Armed Forces, through the Mindanao Peace Council, has pledged support for football as a platform for peace building and youth development, especially in conflict-torn areas of Mindanao.

FFH Vice President Belle Tiongco lauded the attendees for their support to FFH’s vision, which is to establish “[a venue] where all children are protected and given equal opportunities to reach their full potential. Different nations were represented in the event: the UK, the Philippines, Belgium, Nigeria, Korea, New Zealand and Egypt, “who [all…believe in the power of the sport] to unite people toward the greater goals of peace and understanding, for a better world and a better future for the children,” added Tiongco.

FFH Founder Chris Thomas said, “This day is so inspiring for us. FFH has gone from strength to strength due to the support of partners who believe in our urgent appeal to help underprivileged youth. We are thankful that our call to ‘bring nations together’ continues to echo here and abroad.” The foundation and its partners celebrated the success of their multisectoral approach to implement football-based social action initiatives, and also affirmed their commitment to future goals.

As a foundation and charity, FFH is dedicated to use football and the power of play to create personal and social transformations. Registered in the UK and the Philippines, and may be reached at www.footballforhumanity.org.uk or www.facebook.com/footballforhumanity.

Read full report here: www.businessmirror.com.ph/uk-phl-forge-ties-thru-football