Neglected Youth Form Philippino Footy Team

ANCHOR:
In one neighbourhood of Manila there is a group of aspiring football players who have never heard of David Beckham, but still dream of becoming soccer stars. Housed in a centre for abused and neglected youths, they're learning football in the hopes of forming a team to compete in the Homeless World Cup in Australia this December. Here's more from The Philippines.

STORY:
16-year-old Maricel Quitoy used to work 12 hours a day in a clothing factory, without regular meals and in filthy conditions.

Quitoy and her companions testified against their employer. Now they live in a government sponsored youth community, where they go to school and play football.

[Maricel Quitoy, Aspiring Soccer Player]:
"I think something changed in my life because now I'm learning something, unlike in the province where I was always out in the streets."

She could hardly kick the ball at first, but coach Jess Landangan sees a lot of potential.

[Jess Landangan, Coach]:
"Someday, they can do what I did, that I was able to study through football. They too can go to college through football."

Landangan says football is good for Philippinos because you don't have to be tall. And while he admits they're not ready for international competition, these girls have the heart to improve.

[Russel Ayawon, Aspiring Soccer Player]:
"There's a saying that goes, 'we win some, we lose some.' If I don't make it to the tryout, it's okay. Our coach told us not to lose hope."

Quitoy says if she becomes a successful football player, she'll be able to help her six siblings and widowed mother.

[Maricel Quitoy, Aspiring Soccer Player]:
"I want to give back to my family all the help they gave me."

They grew up in remote provinces without ever seeing an actual soccer field, but now these young women have their eyes set on a goal.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• football
• david
• Beckham
• soccer
• world
• cup
• australia

[madrista4ever]

Its so sad why it took a foreign news network to show their story. I guess the Big 2 TV Networks ABS-CBN and GMA are so busy with their rivalry and self-promoting exclusive showbiz news publicity filling up the evening news.

[DINGSANSAN]

KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE!!!!!

[jmdarcega]

this is before football became famous again...now at least it's progressing well.

[brenne45]

its Filipino not Philippino LOL

[siojo22]

@madrista4ever 

[deerko]

Yah,Beckham sucks! YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[matthewtorres007]

nakita ko yung pinapanood nila yung CHEALSEA WEAK VS. LiverpooL!

BRACLAYS !

[BountyDude]

Aww...they havent even heared of d bekham...still thats no reason to stop them from being a football superstar.I myself am a filipino football player i love soccer and i hope to play for a great team someday...

[wassup2008wassup]

i would love to see philippines advance and go forward in football in the FIFA world rankings. As a filipino myself and with a love for football i would love to see Philippines being favourites for the world cup or something someday.

[angel5ive]

jess landagan's my uncle! im so proud of him! miss you tatay!