ARMM football team learns to dream through sports

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ARMM football team learns to dream through sports
A neophyte in Palarong Pambansa, the team has also participated in the Philippine Marines' Football for Peace program

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is one of the 17 regions competing for gold in this year’s Palarong Pambansa, the biggest grassroots sporting event for young Filipino athletes.

For the region’s secondary boys football team, whose members hail from Sultan Kudarat town, competing in the games is a step forward to building a better future.

David Lozada reports.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao secondary boys football team prepares for their match against Northern Mindanao. Despite being neophytes in the Palarong Pambansa, the team from Sultan Kudarat national high school has one goal – to bring home the gold for their region.

Football has been helpful for the youth of ARMM, considered to be one of the poorest conflict-stricken regions in the Philippines. The sport teaches the youth to dream.

Tamano Umpa is the midfielder of the ARMM team. The graduating high school student sees football as a way out of poverty.

TAMANO UMPA, ARMM ATHLETE: Nung sumali ako ng 2nd year, tinanong ako nung nanay ko kung kaya ko ba. Sabi ko kaya ko naman. Binilhan niya talaga ako ng spike shoes. Naibenta nila yung kambing naming 2 para makabili lang ako ng sapatos pati mga damit. Gusto ko rin ipagpatuloy ang aking pagiging football player tsaka balak ko kasing mag-computer engineering o kaya civil engineering para matulungan ko magulang ko.

(When I joined football in 2nd year high school, my mom asked me if I can balance my studies and the sport. I said I can do it. She bought me spike shoes. They even sold our 2 goats just to buy me shoes and clothes. I want to pursue my football career while studying computer engineering or civil engineering so I can help my family.)

The ARMM team has participated in the Football for Peace campaign of the Philippine marines. Because of this, the sport also keeps the youth away from bad vices and influences.

Coach Saudi Upham has been handling the football team of Sultan Kudarat in the past years. He says the sport keeps the youth focused on their goals in life.

SAUDI UPHAM, ARMM FOOTBALL COACH: Yung mga kabataan po, hindi sila sumasali sa gulo. Yung mga kabataan ngayon, yung football for peace nakakatulong dahil yung mga bata doon sila nafo-focus ngayon sa football. 

(The youth in Sultan Kudarat don’t join bad elements because of sports. Programs like Football for Peace really helped the kids a lot. They are now focused on the sport.)

But the team needs help. They lack the resources and equipment to master the sport. 

SAUDI UPHAM, ARMM FOOTBALL COACH: Actually ang football po, hindi po sapat ang isang buwan para magkaroon ng training. Kulang talaga training. Lalo na sa equipment, kulang talaga. Ang pangarap ko sa team ko, balang araw, itong mga bata, gusto ko rin sila makaangat sa football. Gusto ko rin sila maging sikat na football players. 

(Football training cannot be done in one month. We really lack training and equipment. My dream for my team is that someday they’ll be professional football players. I want them to rise above the challenge through the sport.)

For these young men of ARMM, football is more than a sport and a hobby. It is a way to achieve their dreams, to build a better, more peaceful region. David Lozada/ Rappler Tagum City. – Rappler.com

The ARMM Football Team needs sports equipment and shoes. Those interested to help them can contact move.ph@rappler.com.

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