Members of the Philippine national men’s football team who were recently named ‘ambassadors for peace’ kicked off the observance of National Peace Consciousness Month Sunday at the PhilSports Complex.
The Azkals conducted a football clinic for over 100 children as part of the activities in the 1GoalforPeace football event.
“Football is the most popular sport in the world. It’s good to promote peace through the sport,” Azkals striker Misagh Bahadoran said.
Anto Gonzales echoed Bahadoran, saying that the Azkals, too, have their own differences which they settled once they are on the pitch.
“We’re here to inspire the kids that we ourselves have our own differences, like the regions where we live, or our beliefs,” Gonzales said. “But whenever we play, we come together as a team.”
Other Azkals members who participated in the event were Patrick Reichelt, Denis Wolf, Ref Cuaresma, Ed Sacapano and Carli de Murga. Players from the Teen Azkals, the Under-19 national team, and the Malditas, the women’s national team, also graced the event.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said the Azkals were chosen as ambassadors because she believes that sports, especially football, could bridge differences among people.
“We think that sports is a very important element to put us together,” Deles said. “We’re very happy for the Azkals to be champions of peace.”
After the football clinic, the Azkals will also grace the launch of the “I Am for Peace” campaign on September 14 at the Malacañang Palace, where they will meet President Benigno Aquino III. The peace month’s main event, the Ka PEACEtahan, which will feature the milestones of the peace process, will happen on September 21 before the culmination of the month-long celebration through the simultaneous “I Want Peace” concerts nationwide and peace fairs on September 28.
source: interaksyon.com
