While Ceres-Negros FC won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ASEAN Zonal title and the inaugural Philippines Football League crown this year, we in the local organizing committee (LOC) shared in their victory off the pitch.

The LOC worked hard to ensure matches were conducted within AFC competition requirements. Beginning with media and promotions, considering football is still a “baby” as far as popularity in the country, it took extra leg work to get people learning to love the sport.

We brought the club on mall tours, school visits, and special events just to gain some interest from the local population.

After several months of hard work, it was all worth it. From hundreds, the fans at the Panaad Park and Stadium grew into the thousands.

The Panaad, which features one of the best pitches in the country, was made playable and on par with international standards by venue officer Catalino Valderrama, Sr., logistics head Charles ‘Anot’ de Guzman, stadium in-charge Jomari Santillan, and their crew.

Hosting capabilities of both AFC and PFL events at the Panaad – which were recognized by match officials, along with visiting clubs and their fans – was made possible by club secretariat head Glefa Javellana; Dr. Emily Zerrudo and her medical team; Jess Jundos and his Panaad security team; and traffic personnel, headed by Police Superintendent Luisito Acebuche.

In addition, none of it would be possible without the support and supervision of LOC General Coordinator Warren Concepcion, coach Norman Fegidero and his team, Club Administrator Nicolas Golez, and Club Chairman Leo Rey Yanson.

With the 2017 season finished, the titles achieved both on and off the pitch have been one for the books./WDJ