by: Quincy Reyes
Imagine if our country’s rich. Imagine if Football is our country’s favourite sport and having a P-League or a Philippine League with teams being touted as the Manchester United, Chelsea or Barcelona protégés. Imagine seeing a La Salle-Ateneo dream Football Finals match on a field that can fit 70,000 spectators with both teams evenly matched with colourful celebrations inside and outside the dome.
Imagine Sarao Motors reviving its production fleet and joining the prestigious Formula 1. Imagine Pinoy racers lording over circuits of Monza, Monaco or Singapore and matching with other teams such as Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari. Imagine…
I personally think that in terms of sports my favourites do not suit the interest of the majority. Thanks or no thanks to the Americans, Basketball is the ultimate Pinoy pastime but I don’t think it is a sport that we can expect a gold medal from, at least not now.
I love Football and motorsport, particularly Formula 1. In the Philippines I can count by the finger who appreciates the latter, perhaps the former has been gaining enough popularity (thanks to Balls Channel 34 for providing live and free coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa), still only a few knows about the EPL or the Spanish Primera and it’s a fact.
Only the Philippines is as crazy as the US in Basketball. Hello POC, PSC and related Sporting agencies in the country!!! The Filipinos are way better Football players I must say because of our agility and speed! For the information of the majority, the record holder for the most number of goals made in a season for the Spanish club FC Barcelona is a Filipino by the name of Paulino Alcantara who lorded the sport in the 20s and he still holds the record of being the youngest-ever to score a goal for the club.
Filipinos used to be so good in Football until the Americans introduced what was supposed to be an indoor sport, Basketball. Let’s admit it, it is a tall man’s sport, Football is not and the Japanese, Koreans, Thais, Vietnamese and even the Laotians have proven that they can match with the Europeans.
Japan did play well the last World Cup, even thrashing a taller Danish Football team.
In South East Asia, it is not the Asian Basketball League (ABL) that the majority loves watching, it is the coveted Suzuki Cup (oh by the way Vietnam are the defending champions).
So sad to hear that the local Football organization (PFF) is being marred with all the negative controversies…
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The Korean leg of the Formula 1 is about to be unveiled after barely surviving an 11th hour test by the sport’s officials.
The track shall suit the McLarens yet they face an uphill battle with the Red Bulls and the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso for the World Title.
McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh says that there will be no team orders; the Red Bulls of Chris Horner are echoing the same with Ferrari betting all its money on Alonso with only three races left.
What if the Philippines host a Formula 1 leg? Perhaps big companies such as SM or Smart can pitch before Mr. Bernie Ecclestone for a try. Imagine the money that this lucrative sport will bring our country. Imagine all the jobs that will be created and the world attention that we can get.
No wonder countries such as Malaysia, Bahrain, Singapore and now Korea are supporting Formula 1. They have seen its prospects and they are reaping the rewards.
I would love to see all my racing idols racing on our home soil, or as what I have been wishing for, a Filipino driver making waves in F1. Whatever happened to Tyson Sy? I don’t know.
I wish to meet more F1 and Football fans here in the Philippines. Perhaps a gathering of fans will be appreciated.
Sarao F1? Why not?
