Television May Be Best For Philippine Football

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OPINIONS, SPORTS | May 23, 2018

Philippine Azkals team manger Dan Palami, MMC Sportz Marketing CEO Eric Gottschalk, and Philippine Football Federation secretary-general Atty. Edwin Gastanes during the Business of Football - Philippines conference (Image Source: ABS-CBN Sports)

It is without question that football has transcended itself to becoming one of the most popular sports in the Philippines today, and we should thank the Philippine Azkals for bringing the sport to its own prominence. More younger Filipinos are starting to gain interest in learning more about the sport and harnessing their own skills so that they can be at par with their favorite idols. However, the growing popularity of football in the Philippines has been marred by one huge problem - lack of exposure towards the public eye. 

During the Business of Football - Philippines conference which was recently held in Manila last week, many football stakeholders have made one variable but convincing point on the situation regarding the local football scene and that would be the major role of television in the growing popularity and prominence of Philippine football. Their point makes an interesting sense considering that television remains the most used platform for Filipino households today based on different studies, but what would be the involvement of the small screens regarding the matter? Well, it is obviously simple if you are a sports enthusiast.

Football is the number three sport in the Philippines, next to basketball and volleyball, when it comes to popularity and prominence. Despite its growing traction in our local shores, the only thing that has been a major concern for Filipino football fans is the lacking of a television coverage where even non-fans of the sport can enjoy the thrills and action of our own football players. We have already watched Azkals matches in international competitions and a glimpse at the future of Filipino football via the UAAP, but I would agree to their sentiments that these are not enough for them to satisfy their craving and delight for Philippine football.

Television may simply be the best for Philippine football to be widely known to more Filipino sports enthusiasts. However, with the growing lineup of sports programming on Philippine television on hand and the switch to digital terrestrial television on its way to full implementation, television stations who are slated to be challenged by this situation would need to exert their own efforts in making sure that the local football scene will not be left out. And with the current standing of the Philippine national men's football team in the FIFA rankings which is considered an all-time high, I think they should be for the benefit of the beautiful game.