Business tycoon Manny Pangilinan whose passion for sports knows no bounds has decided to invest P80 million in a ten-year development program for football.

The huge boost for football which has suddenly captured the public’s imagination and support was announced by Smart Sports head Pato Gregorio who presented the program to the board of governors of the Philippine Football  Federation in Cebu on Saturday.

The Inquirer chanced upon Gregorio while at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino while there yto cover the “Pinoy Pride 3 – The Rematch” between Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and Alejandro “Zorrito” Barrera. The conversation continued at the Cebu airport while waiting to catch a Philippine Airlines flight to Manila Sunday morning. 

Gregorio disclosed that Smart was keen on starting a Philippine Premier League while at the same time extending support to the AZKALS national team. He said that the plan would probably see a PBA-style draft in which the members of the Azkals would be distributed to the competing teams to help raise the quality of the game  and maintain competitive balance.

The Smart Sports executive who formerly managed the Waterfront Hotel and is regarded as a top marketing man who also handles special projects told the Inquirer that Pangilinan was “excited to support football” in addition to his substantial support for basketball, boxing, taekwondo and tennis among other sports. Gregorio said PLDT-Smart would support the Philippines-Japan Davis Cup tie to be played at Plantation Bay in Lapu Lapu City in the first weekend of March.

Gregorio said that initially several Pangilinan-owned companies are expected to sponsor teams in the Philippines Premier League. He identified the companies as Meralco, Maynilad, Smart and Cignal TV.

The plan calls for teams for sponsors to put up teams in several key football-loving regions in the Visayas and Mindanao with such big and progressive cities as Cebu and Davao leading the effort.Gregorio said that when Pangilinan and Smart get into a sports venture it can be considered a solid commitment.

It will be recalled that after the Azkals gallant stand in the semi finals of the AFC Suzuki Cup in Indonesia, they were hosted at a luncheon by PLDT-Smart at which Pangilinan presented the team through manager Dan Palami a P1 million incentive which was just the beginning.

Gregorio mentioned the need for all parties including local governments to work together to build decent football facilities which is the one thing newly appointed German coach Michael Weiss said is essential for the development of the sport.

The Smart executive indicated that they expect an agreement between Pangilinan and the PFF under president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta to be finalized quickly, hopefully before the end of this week.

Gregorio disclosed that the MVP Sports Foundation – Goal Pilipinas -will be launched on February 11 at the Meralco multi-purpose hall .

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