An article by Sunstar-Cebu said Smart Sports marketing and special project head Patrick Gregorio laid out the offer during the PFF Board of Governors Meeting at the Sarrosa Hotel in Cebu last Saturday.

“This is the commitment of Smart for Philippine football. Our chairman, Manuel V. Pangilinan, is really excited to support the sport,” said Gregorio.

Gregorio said that four companies – Smart, Meralco, Maynilad, Cignal TV-TV5 – are willing to sponsor a team that will comprise the planned local tournament designed to help in the country’s football grassroots development program.

The budget that will be allotted in the formation of the team is outside the P80-million package, Gregorio said.

PFF president Mariano Araneta could not be reached for comment, but he is expected to sign the deal with the Pangilinan in the coming days.

Last December, Panglinan also handed out P1 million to the Philippine Azkals after they closed out their group phase matches in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup where they stun heavy favorite Vietnam, 2-0, in what could be the biggest upset in the 14-year history of the league.

“That was just testing the waters,” Gregorio said. “Pag pumasok ang Smart, we really give our commitment.”

Should the PFF and Smart agree on the deal, the P80-million support will add to the PFF’s growing treasure chest which was already boosted by financial aids from different groups. Since Dec., PFF has collected or committed financial backings totaling to P61.75 million.

Early last month, the football associations of Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan have committed to give a combined $100,000 annually for five years – totaling to $500,000 (P21 million) – to help in the promotion of the sport.

Apart from the money, these countries also assured the PFF that they will be willing to play host to the training camps of the Azkals, in their respective countries.

The airfare and board and lodging of the Azkals will also be shouldered by the host country, according to Araneta.

Four days ago, FIFA, the international football federation, announced it will give out $300,000 additional support to all local football associations as share of the profits from the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

This means that PFF will receive a total of $750,000 (roughly P31.5 million) from FIFA counting the annual $250,000 grant and the $200,000 profit share of the World Cup released last year.

Last December, Asia Brewey Inc. also donated P250,000 to the Azkals’ campaign.

Francis Santiago, Manila Bulletin