DOHA: In the 1958 Asian Games, would you believe that our Philippine Football Team beat Japan 1-0 in Tokyo? Today, Japan has just beaten Germany two times in a row in the FIFA World Cup going on presently in beautiful Qatar.

Once is enough. Twice is too much. And they have been playing in almost every World Cup that I can remember while our beloved country watches the parade passing by every four years.

South Korea has also been doing the same thing. What happened to us? After occupying several positions in the Philippine Football Federation for more than forty years, I guess I can cite some reasons for what has happened and suggest some answers to the problems.

Spanish families and mestizos in the early years dominated this game and we were good. They started young and could play the best in Asia. But as time went by, we somehow lacked the proper direction and problems with leadership arose.

Outstanding PFF leaders in Frank Elizalde and the late Rene Adad, kept us going through the assistance of the late Fernando Alvarez, who was quite close to FIFA former President Joao de Havelange and sadly the late young and dynamic Chris Monfort, who perished in a car accident in line of FIFA duty. Fortunately today, we’ve earned the respect of FIFA with the election of PFF President Nonong Araneta as one of the vice presidents. But herein lies the problem.

While Nonong is on top of the heap, we’ve lost a lot of developmental and grassroots programs. Coke Go for Goal, which started the ball rolling and boys football (BOFA) are gone. And so are the national club competitions, where Eddie Ocampo, Ed Pacheco, Joey Villarreal, Ponte Broce, Bert Honasan, and other legendaries made names for themselves.

Oh yes, we have started a professional league now, which is essential, but short lived. Not year round.

What we have are misguided priorities. Sponsorships keep coming in mostly for basketball, which we do enjoy, but will never see the light of modern day.

Where we cannot even qualify internationally unless we host the games here. Where obviously, height is might. While in football, the Japanese, Koreans and Arabs are showing us the way.

The world’s best are Filipino in size. Messi, Maradona, Beckham, Pele et al are small but it’s the speed that counts, not the height.

And to improve our standing, government support is essential. PE, known as physical education in schools in the old days, are gone where kids can play daily after school.

Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa are relevant now, but football is not a priority. But don’t get me wrong. We’re all elated with the Filipinas qualifying for the World Cup next year for the first time in history but most of these kids are not homegrown.

Grassroots development is what we need. And Nonong can’t do it alone. While he’s there on top of the heap, let’s all support him by promoting this world’s most popular sport everywhere, especially in the provinces. Local government units should be encouraged to promote this game.

Look all around us in Southeast Asia. We’re the only ones really going gaga on basketball. Most or all are crazy about football. That’s why we never get to be champions in the Asian or SEA Games. Never.

It was a thrill to spend five days of my life last week in Qatar. Media claims that Messi and Ronaldo are playing now in their last World Cup, which both never won. Five for Ronaldo.

Presumably, it’s also my last. That’s why I decided to go and suffer 20 hours up in the air going back and forth. It was worth it. What a thrill to see nine new arenas with the best playing and I’m thankful to the Lord for being alive today to witness these unbelievable skills.

Although this was probably my seventh Cup as I have been connected with FIFA for several years, I must admit this was probably the best. Why? Due to lack of space, I hope you can read my next article all about Doha, Qatar.