ABS-CBN, PHL football federation sign pact

source: Barry Viloria | abs-cbnnews.com

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has signed an exclusive 1-year deal with ABS-CBN Sports to air all the matches of the Philippine football team, the Azkals, for 2011.

ABS-CBN Sports Vice President Peter Musngi said the partnership will make football one of the most sought after sports for Filipinos this 2011 and beyond.

"This is the breakthrough that football will enjoy for many decades to come," he said.

Under the partnership, ABS-CBN will specifically broadcast the country's home game against Mongolia in the anticipated Asian Football Federation (AFC) Challenge Cup this coming February.

As for the visitor game to be held in Mongolia, Musngi said they are still "working on it."

Musngi said ABS-CBN's airing of several of the Azkals' matches in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup last year achieved "amazing ratings."

He said ABS-CBN Sports has always recognized the Azkals' potential. He said the team shed off its underdog label after shaming last season's champion Vietnam in the AFF.

"We don't know them but we felt it was the duty of ABS-CBN to play their games on TV," he said.

"We are looking forward to a very productive partnership. It symbolizes that kind of trust we have with each other," he added.

Mariano Araneta, the recently-installed PFF chief, said the partnership will generate more interest for the sport and for the Philippine team.

"Football will go a long way to be able to compete with the current number 1 sport in the Philippines which is basketball," he said.

Hans Michael Weiss, the Azkals' new coach, said the team is looking forward to the partnership.

"It gives us some major boost in the team and also, for football in the country," he said.

"We thank you ABS-CBN for having the Filipinos watch our players do it against the odds," team manager Dan Palami added.

The AFC Challenge Cup Game between the Azkals and Mongolia on February 9 in Bacolod will be aired live on Studio 23 with telecast on The Filipino Channel and replay on BALLS. It can also be seen through Studio 23's Catch-Up TV.