Younghusbands plan to boost Philippine football

MANILA, Philippines – Brothers Phil and James Younghusband may be relishing at their status as among the Philippines’ newest sports heroes, but they haven’t lost sight of their goal of improving the standard of football in the country.

“That’s what we set out to do when we moved here for good a few years ago. For us, it’s no longer about just playing for the national team but coaching as well,” said the 24-year-old Phil.

“We have a great opportunity because the sport is getting popular,” added Phil during a recent gathering announcing their role as football ambassadors for TV5’s sports channel AKTV.

The Younghusbands, who signed a three-year deal with AKTV, will be hosting a series of segments on the basics of football on the sports channel.

AKTV’s Vito Lazatin welcomed the Younghusbands’ entry to the TV5 family, saying it only reinforces the channel’s aim to help football grow in the country.
AKTV also airs UFL matches live on IBC13.

Like Phil, James is hoping that the string of victories of the Azkals will translate to more interest in the sport, particularly with children.

The Filipino-British brothers put up the Younghusband Academy two years ago as their way to promote and improve the sport at the grassroots level, coaching young children as well as physical education teachers.

The Academy has come a long way since its days at the Alabang Country Club, having partnered with local government units to hold clinics in Tarlac and La Union, among others.

“It’s one of our ways to give back to the sport that has given us so much,” said Phil, who was in talks with an academy official of his former club, Chelsea, on how to improve the academy recently.

James said football has helped them cope with the loss of their parents, most recently their mother Susan, who passed away last September.

“Football got us through tough times,” he said.

James said their new role at AKTV will give them a wider audience in their effort to promote the sport.