Batang 'Gapo earns football scholarship from Manila university

Pambansang palaro standout and Amihan monsoon striker Federico 'Oteng' Fariñas secured a full scholarship grant to play for the Rizal Technological University (RTU) Blue Thunder football team early last week.

Oteng is the first football player in the city to be granted a full college scholarship.

In an interview, Fariñas said that he will take up an education course with a major on physical education.

'Para kapag natapos ko, makatulong ako sa development ng football,' he explained. 

Amihan FC coach David Bayarong said that the coaching staff of the Blue thunder was impressed with the technical and tactical ability of the Amihan monsoon striker and 'offered a level 4 scholarship.'

The level 4 scholarship package includes free tuition and other school fees, board and lodging, including an undisclosed monthly stipend.

Fariñas was also offered a football scholarship by San Beda College Red Lions. The grant, however, still required him to pay a certain portion of the school fees which his parents said they will not be able to provide.

'This is a good start. Now, coaches and teams from Manila recognize that football players in Subic Bay can be polished to become a good technical player in a short time,' Bayarong said.

'Oteng won the grant because he worked on his skills day in, day out. He practiced daily while his parents gave full support. We only helped him polish his game and meet the right people,' Bayarong clarified.

Initially, coaches were wary that almost all the players Amihan FC showed them were 'technically and tactically deficient.'

'What they notice was that while they are good players, they lack the understanding of the basic techniques thus unable to use them. This resulted to the inability to make correct decision to football problems they encounter in a match,' Bayarong explained.

Based on the observations of several national coaches, Amihan's training program concentrated making sure that the players know the basic football moves, execute them perfectly and use them in opposed situations.

"We hope that in one or two years, more futboleros will pass the rigorous standards of the college varsities in Manila. Hopefully, they can use their new found skills to earn a college education while playing football,' Bayarong said.

Bayarong noted that if parents 'want their kids to follow Oteng's footsteps, they must support their child all the way. They must love the game that their kid loves.' (30)