Davao Hosts 4th Asian Freestyle Football Championship

Davao City will host the two-day 4th Asian Freestyle Football Championship which kicks-off Friday at the SM Premier Fountain Court with about 31 delegates from 12 countries for the competition.

Jointly organized by Maharlika Sports Development Foundation and the Asia Freestyle Football Federation in partnership with the City Sports Division, Liga ng Barangay and the Department of Education (DeEd), the freestyle football event will be participated by delegates from Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Brunei, Iran and Singapore.

The theme: “Isang Bola ka Lang” is inspired by the World Freestyle Football Federation (WFFF) brand – “All you Need is a Ball”, said Edgar Te, executive director of the Maharlika Sports Development Foundation, Inc. Te said the aim of the event is to “create responsible sports development program for children.”

Te said the qualifying rounds will start Friday, December 9, when they select 16 to qualify for the finals on December 10. The second day of the event will be graced by four members of the Azkals, the Philippine National Football team.

Te said this is the first time the country is hosting the freestyle football championship after this was brought first to Vietnam then to Kuala Lumpur and Indonesia.

In an interview, Nam Hoai Nguyen, secretary general of the Asian Freestyle Football Federation, said the federation aims to bring the freestyle football all over Asia. He said they wanted to impart education to Asian communities especially among the youth through tricks, music and dance with football.

He hoped the sports event will inspire the youth in Davao, noting that the freestyle football has continually gained popularity worldwide since early 1900s. In the early 21st century, Nike began an advertising campaign which relied heavily on the freestyle form of football,

Philip Warren Gertsson, a Filipino-Norwegian, said, “You are free what to do and what you want in freestyle football.” Gertsson was supposed to play for Norway but at last minute wanted to represent the Philippines.

Gertsson aspires to get back the title which he said was taken from him during the championship event in Indonesia last year. (PNA)LAP/LILIAN C. MELLEJOR/LDP