Football
Chelsea FC formally launches soccer school in the Philippines
InterAKTV/Roy Afable
The Chelsea Soccer School in the Philippines was formally launched last Tuesday, perceived as a big step for the country’s football program.
Azkals star Phil Younghusband, who together with his brother James spearheaded the creation of the school in the country, said that the Chelsea Soccer School will develop new programs and facilities to develop more football players in the country.
It will be the third football school created by the English side in Asia with Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur as the other sites.
“I’m proud and honored to have the Chelsea Soccer School here in the Philippines. It’s a milestone for Philippine football and I’m very proud to have this opportunity,” said Phil during the school’s formal launch at the SM Mall of Asia last Tuesday.
No less than Chelsea international development manager Ian Woodroffe and managing director for Asia Adrian New arrived in the country to meet with the Younghusbands and lay the groundwork for the soccer school.
For starters, Phil, a former reserve player of Chelsea, said that that they are currently in talks about the venue of the school with the playing field to be called as “Blue Pitch.”
“We can’t disclose right now but we are in close talks about the possible site of the school. We assure everyone that it will be accessible to everyone,” he said.
With the English side trying to make an imprint in the country’s football consciousness, Woodroffe didn’t downplay the possibility of bringing in Chelsea players and coaches in the Philippines.
“We have already brought players in Bangkok and Hong Kong in the past. This year, we will be in the United States and in 2013, we will be back in Asia. Maybe in 2015 after the World Cup, we will certainly look at the opportunity,” said Woodroffe.
The launch coincided with the graduation rites of the Younghusband Football Academy Summer Camp held recently.
