All along the watchtower

WHEN I returned to journalism as a profession in 2006 after a long sabbatical, one of the first stories I constantly wrote about was Philippine football. It wasn’t easy to get space those years as not many people were interested in the game. However, I kept at it.

It was mostly about University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) football matches and the odd Azkals story. Then in late 2008, I began to write some stories about purported shenanigans in the leadership of the local game. After several more pieces, I got banned from covering the sport or even from entering the premises of the federation’s offices.

I remember one time, when I got called to air their side, I went over to their offices, and I got all these funny looks from the people inside. One of the coaches who I had questioned then about what was being done to the futsal team entered the then-president’s room and told me a wholly different story from the players and the other coaches.

As a writer, I alternate between reports and match recaps to feature stories to opinion pieces and match analysis. I move from sports to music to travel to pop culture.

Truthfully, I would rather write feature stories and analysis. But when there is the need to fire some shots in the direction of something not kosher, then I do not hesitate to do so.

It is never easy writing these “exposes” or offering pointed barbs if you will. I have been threatened, bribed and wished eternal damnation. And twice I have been called out during a presser including one international match (the Suzuki Cup) by an angry coach who has not gotten good press from me. But I take comfort in the thought that British journalist Andrew Jennings who knows a thing or two about exposes and pointed barbs as well as getting banned once told me that I “had earned by badge of courage by being banned.”

That’s probably the best compliment I have received because you are in the trenches and for the most part waging a long and lonely war of attrition.

To be honest, I am wary of people who say they are doing this for the game, for the people, etc. How many times have we heard that?

Since my return to local football in the past two months, I have done webcasts on the 10th anniversary of the 2010 Suzuki Cup, as well as various articles including quite a few rooted in the present where I have pointed out the ills of the game—still happening 10 years later.

For the most part, I have received nothing but “yeas.” If there are a few “nays” they are tempered by the off-the-record comment that they agree but cannot say so publicly.

There are undoubtedly good people in sport across the board. Folks who work tirelessly, do not receive the pay or recognition they deserve, and fly under the radar. And for them, I feel bad.

I am shocked at the audacity of some of these people in the game of football. To callously treat players and coaches so badly by not paying what is due or even living up to agreements and contracts. Then they hide behind statutes, the pandemic, and whatnot.

Why does there have to be an article like mine (to go with the work of some other bloggers and social media posts from those affected) before action is taken? Why aren’t these teams properly vetted? Isn’t it before you can secure a credit card, your earning capacity is verified? But then again, some still fail to pay even if the vetting shows they can do so.

So maybe that is why these problems in football and sports exist.

So I will continue to write—the recaps, features, analyses and well, opinion columns and exposes. I have never kowtowed to anyone and am not a gun for hire.

I asked one official, “why is there a climate of fear where some cannot talk about this alleged lack of pay or unfulfilled promises?”

That means they are fearful of losing their slots and yet, they suffer in silence.

Hopefully, we are headed towards better days. I look forward to seeing the Azkals play again and surpassing the feats of their 2010 colleagues. I look forward to club competition again that I missed so much.

So really...what I write next depends largely on what is done. Then as in today, I will be watching with a very keen eye along that watchtower.

Tally ho.