TUBOD, Lanao del Norte --Football heartthrobs James and Phil Younghusband have committed to visit Lanao del Norte this coming July, 2011 as they continue to promote the sport of football here in the country.
Putting their new-found popularity to good use, the Younghusband brothers have established "The Younghusband Football Academy (TYFA)" with the aim of nurturing and developing the next generation of Filipino football players.
The TYFA has been teaching public school students and Physical Education teachers the basics of football--for free. To date, the brothers have already conducted clinics in Tarlac City and Paniqui in Tarlac, Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Taguig City in Metro Manila.
"We have seen how natural Filipinos are on the football field and this inspires us to transfer everything we have learned to them and see them achieve excellence," Philip, the younger of the Younghusband siblings said during the last PSA forum.
The brothers are products of the successful Chelsea Football Club program in England and rose through its ranks, giving them the skills and experience that proved pivotal in the Azkals' phenomenal campaign in last year's Asean Suzuki Cup.
Instrumental in bringing the Younghusbands to Lanao del Norte is second district Rep. Aliah Dimaporo.
Dimaporo, who is also a sports enthusiast, is actively involved in different sporting events like basketball, motocross and tennis.
"Sports not only develop the athletic skills of the students but more importantly they also learn positive core values like respect, self-control, and responsibility," the lawmaker said.
The English-Filipino strikers are scheduled to arrive in Lanao del Norte on July 7, for a 2-day football clinic.
The Younghusband brothers are also the ambassadors for 1Goal, a global signature campaign that aims to make education a priority and helps 72 million children--6 million of whom are Filipinos--to complete primary school by 2015.
"There is a great feeling when one plays for the team and for the country, but Phil and I get a different kind of fulfillment seeing how our students learn," James said. "The Filipino kids pick up so quickly."
They added that they opened the TYFA not only to impart their knowledge and expertise to budding football hopefuls, but also as a tribute to their late father, Philip James, who passed away in 2003 and was responsible to introducing them to the sport.
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on April 14, 2011.
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