Davao Aguilas, Shonan Bellmare Merge To Boost Football Development

GENTLEMEN’S HANDSHAKE. DAVAO AGUILAS FC CHAIRMAN AND CEO JEFF CHENG AND SHONAN BELLMARE FC PRESIDENT NAOHITO MIZUTAN SEALS THE DEAL WITH A HANDSHAKE.

CLUB football in the Philippine received a big boast after the Davao Aguilas FC and the Shonan Bellmare FC of J League of Japan merged to form the Davao Aguilas Bellmare FC.

The merger was announced in front of the Philippine football media Davao Aguilas players and officials and top officials of the Shonan Bellmare FC at a posh Makati City Hotel.

AGUILAS CHAIRMAN, CEO JEFF CHENG                    SHONAN BELLMARE FC PRESIDENT

                                                                                                       NAOHITO MIZUTANI 

“The partnership has been formed so that we can cooperate in the areas of coaching, players scouting of talented players, youth development, the academy, and football marketing. We would also arrange football friendlies between our teams here and abroad,’’ said Davao Aguilas FC chairman and CEO, Jefferson Cheng.

He added that they are looking forward for the Japanese club to help them start their academy in Davao once the Davao Aguilas Sports Center will be finished next year in barangay Mandu in the district of Buhangin, Davao City.

Davao Aguilas President Francis Go also welcomed the visitors from Japan and other guests.

CHENG LEADS THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT AND THEN THE CELEBRATION

Cheng then signed the partnership agreement with Shonan Bellmare FC president Naohito Mizutani, and Technical Director for International Project Kiyoshi Sekiuchi.

Japanese Chamber of Commerce Inc. president Naoto Tago and Japanse General Consul Atsusho Kuwabara were also present during the signing.

Cheng also announced the club is donating P100,000 for the relief operation for the victims of typhoon Ompong.

“We are engage in helping the community. We are donating P100,000 for the relief operations for the victims of typhoon Ompong,’’ Cheng said.

He also added that they continue to help the less privilege in Davao by helping some orphanages in Davao. “We also help other athletes like weightlifter Hedilyn Diaz who won the gold medal in the Asian Games in Indonesia recently,’’ he added.

AGUILAS TEAM CAPTAIN PHIL                                 SPONSORS SHARE A TABLE

THANKS THE SPONSORS.

Davao Aguilas captain Phil Younghusband was thankful for partnership of the Davao Aguilas with the JLeague team. 

“To the Filipino football community thank you for being here. I am proud and honored to be part of this huge achievement. This is something very big for the development of Philippine football and to be part of if we are all very proud and this means lots to us,’’ Phil said.

He also thanked Jeffrey Cheng his administration team and President Francis Go.

JEFF CHENG POSTS WITH GUESTS                     THE JAPANESE GUESTS SHARE A TABLE

AND HIS STAFF                                                         WITH JEFF CHENG

‘’The club has made huge strides in the development of Philippine football. One thing we can not deny is the ambition of the club. As players and staff it is our responsibility to perform on the pitch in accordance with the club’s ambition,’’ Phil added.

Phil also thanked the sponsors like San Miguel Corporation, Purefoods, Tapa King, and Cebu Pacific Airlines which sent representatives and were given certificates of appreciations during the ceremonies.

PFF SEC GEN GASTANES WITH OFFICIALS            CHENG (right) and GO (left) GIVE THE

                                                                                      JAPANESE   GUEST SOME SOUVENIRS. 

“This is the first in Philippine football. I am sure this partnership will mean the success and the development of Philippine football for the club and country,’’ he ended.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Secretary General and lawyer Edwin Gastanes represented PFF president Nonong Araneta. He was with Philippine Football League officer Coco Torre.

The Davao Aguilas players and coaches were also introduced to the guests by coach Leigh Manson.

COACH LEIGH MANSON WITH COACH MELCHOR         DAVAO AGUILAS FAMILY

Aside from Phil other players who came were James Younghusband, Diego Alves, Jorrel Aristorenas, Junelle Bautista, Ronila Bayan, Marco Casambre, Enzo Cheng, Julian Clarino, Raymart Cuban, Dylan De Bruycker, Jason de Jong, Patrick Deyto, Daniel Gadia, Harvey Gayoso, Joshua Gromman, James Hall, Matthew Hartman, Ray Joyel, Omar Khan, Sungmin Kim, Tyler Matas, Fradley Macdonald, James Minniecon, Kintaro Miyagi, Satoshi Otoma, Jeremiah Rocha, Simone Rota, Paolo Salenga, Adam Tull, Dennis Villanueva, Wesley Minniecon.

The coaching staff including  Melchor Anzures, John Morado, Alexander Gamat, Roncel Garfin, Jeongil Kim, and Panemanglor Rajeev were also presented.

The Davao Aguilas support staff were also present. They were Arnold Robiso, Karyn Callway, Darell Cheng, Rondeck De Vera, Carson Gutierrez, Arnold Cyril Manalo, Kevin Dave Padre, Ryan Saranillo, Michael Shaw, Billy Jean Ping, Mickey Sanchez, Mayet Linchoco and Nelan Casalmer. Davao based staff also led by Elmer Mailwas, Damsel Merced, Apple Jane Reyes and Lester Magada were also present. (l.biantan@gmail.com)