With the FIFA Women’s World Cup just a month away, the Philippine Football Federation is hoping that the Philippine Sports Commission does its part in helping the team for the team’s final stretch for it.
On Thursday – during the team’s sendoff hosted by the New Zealand Embassy – PFF President Mariano Araneta bared that the allocation given by FIFA and AFC has been utilized by the team since qualifying for the World Cup a year ago.
Team booster Jeff Cheng has also pledged to give each player $30,000 for making history in making the global meet set from July 20 to August 20.
“We have the preparation budget given by FIFA and AFC. They have supported us all the way along with Mr. Jeff Cheng. Every player will get $30,000 each just for being there,” said Araneta.
“FIFA is really doing its best to promote women’s football. We have increased everything for women’s football.”
However, they have yet to get support from the Philippine government.
“The support is there but I still want some support from the government.
“In our preparation, we still haven’t gotten the support that we need. Hopefully, we get it soon because preparing for the Women’s World Cup is no joke. I think the budget for preparation is about $3,000,000. I hope the PSC can give us funding for that also,” he lamented.
Araneta can’t help but compare the support Gilas Men has received from the Philippine government.
“We know that they have given P1,000,000,000 to basketball as host, but we have already qualified. I hope that they can give enough to sustain our preparation,” he continued.
The PFF has already reached out to PSC chairman Richard Bachmann, but has yet to get a response. The Filipinas are hoping to get P30,000,000.
Still, the Filipinas are out to make most of the country’s first-ever appearance in a World Cup.
On July 20, the 46th-ranked team in the world take on no. 20 Switzerland. They then face host and no. 26 New Zealand on the 25th followed by no. 12 Norway on the 30th.
“Sabi nga natin e we just won’t go there to participate, they are there to compete. I hope that we will be lucky and we get four points. That’s the target.
“Of course, we’ve seen their improvement throughout their journey. All the achievements that they had, from qualifying to winning the ASEAN championship. Hopefully, they will progress to the next round,” said the sportsman.
