British ambassador opens home for kids’ football training

MANILA, Philippines – British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad welcomed over 20 children from Gawad Kalinga (GK) Pinagsama, Taguig, to his residence for a morning of football training on Tuesday, May 6.

The kids are set to compete for in an inter-embassy tournament branded as the Ambassador’s Cup on Saturday, May 10.

They will be representing the British Embassy and will compete against other kids from various underprivileged communities in Metro Manila who are representing other foreign posts in Manila, such as Argentina, Indonesia, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Chile, Nigeria, Timor Leste, and the United States.

Ahmad, joined by his officials at the Embassy Steph Lysaght and Colin Glenn, took a break from their daily routine to join the kids and train them in passing, moving the ball, and making goals.

Ahmad, a football fan himself and supporter of the Liverpool Football Club, wishes to impart values the sport can teach the children. “What we want them to learn is how to overcome adversity. Football is one of those games that no matter what your upbringing is or whatever talent of any sort that you can actually perform,” he said.

“So it allows you, even you’re a poor player, to learn to do the basics of kicking a ball. And in the end, you also become a fan. So I think what we’re hoping to achieve is people will learn to cooperate with each other, work as a team, learn from experts, and also just enjoy themselves, too, because that sport should be fun. It doesn’t need to be totally serious,” the ambassador added.

Ahmad denied being anti-basketball but admitted that Filipinos should try to get to know football better, with the Philippine Azkals already one of the highest-rated teams in Asia. While height matters in basketball, Ahmad said that in football you could be any size or age and still excel.

“In football, you can be close to ground [it doesn’t matter]. There’s space for everybody and you will succeed whatever you are. Even in my old age, I can still kick a ball. I see no reason why the Philippines cannot become a huge success,” he said.