KASIBULAN: Education and Football For More Pinoys

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) launched last Fevruary 2012 its Grassroots Development Program called KASIBULAN. WIth the Philosophy of developing football in every environment in the Philippines for girls and boys between 6 to 12 years old, the program ensures everyone has the opportunity to have fun.

Plans started way back in 2012 with teh FIFA Grassroots Course and Festival conducted by FIFA Instructor Takeshi ONo. Selected coaches from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were trained on how Grassroots Festival should be implemented. Based on the FIFA Standards and best practices from other countries, the PFF developed the template for its own Grassroots program that which they call the Kasibulan - Grassroots Course and Festival (GCF)

As in other countries, the grassroots program aims to create a football environment where football will transcend cultural differences. Their challenge is to encourage local government units (LGU) and Department of Education (DEPED) to support and promote football. But also realized that for children to support the program, it has to have a fun athmosphere and lots of interaction with other kids. In this way, they will develop the love and respect of the game. But most importantly for PFF, this program should contribute to the positive value formation of the youth today.

As of today, we have completed 73 GCFs. This August they play to bring it to 40 different venues all over the Philippines. By the end of the year, they should have completed 198 festivals with the support of the 33 Provincial Football Associations (PFA).

A GCF starts with a 2 day Grassroots Development course on coaching for teachers and football coaches. It culminates in a half day festival on the third day, that trains at least 50 kids on basic football skills like dribbling, passing, and shooting with a taste of playing against other kids as part of circuit training.

This ambitious dream of PFF to institutionalize a nationwide Grassroots development Program is realized through the support and funding of PAGCOR. With the help of the Department of Education to rally teachers and students to try Football through Kasibulan, PFF believes the success of the program is assured.