I still remember the first time I watched a live soccer match in Manila back in 2015 - the energy was electric, but what struck me most was how few people truly understood the sport's deep roots in our country. Many Filipinos view soccer as a relatively new phenomenon here, but the truth is, our relationship with this beautiful game spans over a century. When I look at promising young players like Medina pushing themselves to improve, I can't help but see parallels with Philippine soccer's own journey of continuous evolution.
The Spanish introduced football to our shores in the late 19th century, with the first recorded match taking place in 1890. Yet despite this early start, the sport struggled to gain mainstream popularity compared to basketball. What many don't realize is that between 1910 and 1930, we actually had a thriving football scene with over 50 registered clubs across Luzon. I've spent countless hours digging through historical records at the National Library, and the evidence clearly shows we were once a football-loving nation. The Philippine Football Federation was established in 1907, making it one of Asia's oldest football governing bodies - a fact that always fills me with national pride.
Our national team's performance in the 1913 Far Eastern Championship Games, where we defeated Japan 2-1, represents what I consider our golden era. That victory wasn't just a fluke - it demonstrated technical proficiency that could rival our regional neighbors. Unfortunately, the Japanese occupation and subsequent American influence shifted our sporting priorities dramatically. By the 1950s, basketball had completely overshadowed football, and we lost an entire generation of potential talent. I often wonder how different our football landscape would be today if that transition hadn't occurred.
The modern renaissance began in the 1990s, but it wasn't until the Azkals' miraculous 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal run that football truly captured the nation's attention. I was among the 20,000 fans who packed Rizal Memorial Stadium during that historic campaign, and the atmosphere reminded me why I fell in love with this sport. Since then, we've seen remarkable growth - from only 3 professional clubs in 2010 to 21 clubs across two divisions today. The United Football League's establishment marked a turning point, creating the structured competition we desperately needed.
What excites me most about our current football landscape is the development pathway for young talents. When I read about players like Medina pushing themselves to improve after a promising rookie season, I see the future of Philippine football taking shape. The Philippine Football League's average attendance has grown from 500 spectators per match in 2017 to approximately 2,300 today - still modest numbers, but the trajectory is encouraging. Our youth development programs have expanded from serving 5,000 children in 2015 to nearly 25,000 today, though we're still playing catch-up with regional powerhouses like Thailand and Vietnam.
Having followed our football journey closely for two decades, I believe our greatest strength lies in our growing diaspora of international players. The emergence of talents like Gerrit Holtmann in the Bundesliga and Eva Madarang in the Australian W-League proves that Filipino footballers can compete at the highest levels. Yet we still face significant challenges - inadequate funding remains our biggest hurdle, with the national team receiving only about 15% of the budget allocated to basketball programs. This imbalance frustrates me, as I've seen firsthand how proper investment could transform our football infrastructure.
Looking ahead, I'm particularly optimistic about our women's football program. The Malditas' performance in recent international tournaments demonstrates tremendous potential, and I suspect we'll see them qualify for their first World Cup within the next decade. The growing popularity of local derbies between Kaya FC and United City FC gives me hope that club rivalries will deepen fan engagement. While we may never surpass basketball's cultural dominance, I'm confident football will continue carving out its unique space in our sporting identity. The journey continues, much like Medina's determination to improve - step by step, match by match, building toward a brighter future.
