EU delegation leads football festival

THE European Delegation to the Philippines on Sunday conducted

- ity Football Festival” in Taguig City.

The event gave 60 underprivileged Filipino children the opportunity to play football through a football clinic led by Scottish football coach, Leigh Manson.

Manson is also the assistant coach of Davao Aguilas, the team

Copa Paulino Alcantara.

“We want Filipinos to experience the dynamism and vitality of football as a sport,” said EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen.

The EU delegation staged the football event “to foster solidarity and friendship between EU and the Philippines in the arena of sports.”

The sport has become part of Europe’s culture, Jessen said.

European diplomats showed their skills and played against Laos F.C., a group of semi-professional and veteran Filipino football players associated with Fundacion Santiago.

The EU delegation to the Philippines noted that football “is gaining popularity in the Philippines” and has its origins in England. The famous Football League was founded also in England.

Thomas Wiersing, counsellor and head of Political, Press and Information Section of the EU delegation, led the ceremonial kick-off during the friendly match.