U.S. Embassy Photo Release
May 22, 2007
American Soccer Champs Hold U.S. Embassy-Sponsored
Youth Clinic in Iloilo; Ambassador Kenney Opens Event
Two American soccer champions – one a Filipino-American – are conducting U.S. Embassy-sponsored youth clinics in the Philippines to share their passion for the sport. U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney kicked off the week of clinics in Iloilo on May 21 with a short ceremony, and watched the excited youths learn tips and techniques from the experts.
Soccer champions Tiffany Roberts and Linda Hamilton are offering soccer clinics in Manila, Iloilo, and Bacolod in partnership with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). Ms. Roberts and Ms. Hamilton are both award-winning soccer players who are now coaching. They were on the U.S. Women’s National soccer team, represented the United States in the Olympic Games, and won medals in the women’s World Cup games. Philippine Women’s National Team member Marilou Rubio is also serving as a coach and mentor during the clinics.
The visit is part of the World Cup Soccer Sports Initiative, a unique program that brings American soccer professionals overseas to hold clinics for both youth and coaches. The program, created by the U.S. Government in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation, emphasizes teamwork, respect, leadership and conflict resolution, and how these athletic qualities can translate into life skills and academic achievement. The American soccer professionals serve as Sports Envoys for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Pictured above are Sports Envoy Ms. Roberts; Ambassador Kenney; Sports Envoy Ms. Hamilton; Ms. Rubio; Pablito V. Araneta, General Secretary, PFF; and Duffie B. Botavara of the Iloilo Football Federation during the opening ceremony of the clinic in Iloilo on May 21. Ambassador Kenney handed over the first soccer ball to the PFF to officially begin the clinic. The U.S. is donating all of the soccer balls used during the clinics to the PFF for distribution to youth programs throughout the country.
“I’m very excited about the future of Philippine football,” said Ambassador Kenney during the opening ceremony. “This is the sort of community we love to play in, to make friends in, and be part of. Let’s enjoy one of the many things that make the Philippines and United States such close friends – and that is a love of sports.”
“We’re very excited about being here,” said Ms. Roberts, whose mother was born in the Philippines, to the children before starting the clinic. “I hope we can be an inspiration to the country and support your football players. When you play soccer, you can be a leader. You can both be inspired and inspire other people.”
During their visit to the Philippines, Ms. Roberts and Ms. Hamilton will conduct clinics for both boys and girls in Iloilo from May 21-22, in Bacolod from May 22-23, and in Manila on May 24. They will also hold sessions for coaches in all three areas.
The U.S. Embassy is proud to partner with thePhilippine Football Federation and Philippine Women’s National Soccer Team for this event, and would like to thank the Iloilo Football Association, Negros Occidental (Bacolod) Football Association, and Rizal Football Association for their assistance in planning this program. Thank you to the PFF National and Regional Training Centers and Philsports Complex for hosting the clinics.
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