Football patron bats for countrywide search

Football godfather Ricky Yanson remains firm that a solid talent base of young players can spell long-term success for the national team.

And it can only be achieved once a countrywide tournament for children has been established for the long the haul where the future stars of the national squad are bound to be discovered.

``Developing football at the grassroots level is the way to go if we want to have a successful program,’’ said Yanson, president of the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA).

It will be an important part of Yanson’s commitment as he declared his intention to run for president when the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) holds its election of officers on Nov. 29, 2019 in Manila.

A total of 29 football associations all over the country will gather during the polls to elect their president, vice president and board of governors, comprised of five representatives from Luzon, Visayas Mindanao.

Yanson has been in talks with current PFF president Mariano ``Nonong’’ Araneta, who had shared to Yanson that he opted not to seek another term and instead run for vice president.

Araneta currently serves as finance head of the Asian Football Confederation and has a seat in the FIFA executive council, the world governing body of football, the most popular sport in the world with over 4 billion fans and enthusiasts globally.

``He was the one who encouraged me to run as PFF president,’’ added Yanson, the founding father of the NOFA Cup, an annual tournament designed not only to find hidden gems in the rough, but to provide young players with more opportunities and better lives.