Azkals' Chieffy leads 'football for peace' in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines  – Ten-year-old Karim, son of a Moro farmer,  has always loved football since he was in second grade. It was then a happy day when the team captain of Philippine football team Azkals came to Buluan town and taught them techniques of the sport.

Azkal's Chieffy Caligdong led a "football for peace" clinic, under the auspices of the Philippine Sports Commission and with the assistance of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, for hundreds of Moro, Christian and indigenous Lumad children to commemorate the April 6 International Day of Sport for Peace and Development.

Caligdong, a former enlisted member of the Philippine Air Force, lauded the provincial government of Maguindanao for introducing and helping educate children of the communities here about football and the promotion of sports and sportmanship in supporting the peace and development in the province.

Caligdong added that he is suprised to see and experience Maguindanao's tranquility, contrary to the popular "perception" that the province is unsecured and unstable.

Mangudadatu said he supported the football clinic project to promote "fraternalism" and religious solidarity among participating school children to complement the peace efforts of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Southern Mindanao.

Mangudadatu also thanked PSC Executive Director Guillermo Iroy, who accompanied Caligdong to the provine,  for the activity.

"By teaching them the rudiments and benefits of sportsmanship, teamwork and cooperation in their most tender years, they will become responsible, peace-loving adults," Mangudadatu said.

Fatima, 12, and her friends, Aisa, 11, and Samirah, 10, were so excited to join the sports clinic that they almost could not sleep the night before.

Fatima said her father Abdul, also a farmer, has been supportive of her fondness for football.

“Ang sabi ni Ama, mismong si Prophet Mohammad ay gustong lumahok ang kanyang mga tagapagsunod noong kanyang kapanahunan sa iba’t ibang larangan ng palakasan dahil ito ay makakabuti para sa lahat,” Fatima said in Filipino in Maguindanaon accent.

Caligdong and Mangudadatu told the participants that the unity of Maguindanao's diverse residents will be strengthened if children in the province learn the value of teamwork and cooperation in addressing issues confornting the local community.

“As a team, children will learn how to address internal misunderstandings amicably, become responsible for all their actions, and able to meet minds in planning out how to  overcome obstacles..." Mangudadatu said. - John Unson