IT seems like world soccer is still keeping a special eye on the Philippines despite the sport’s moribund state in the country.

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce (SCC) revealed that the Real Madrid Foundation has entered into “exploratory talks” with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) for the sport’s development here.

Bonifacio Vega, the director general of strategy and international development of the City Council of Madrid, admitted that the tie-up was brought up during a fellowship meeting held by the SCC.

The agreement could possibly include the construction of a football stadium, sending of foreign coaches to training Filipino players, providing of scholarships, and donation of equipment.

Vega added that if an agreement can be reached with the PFF, there is also a strong possibility that Real Madrid players will be visiting the country.

“It is still early in the discussions, but we believe Filipinos can be good football players and that one day [they] can compete with the best in Asia,” Vega said.

Vega added it wouldn’t hurt if private investors help out in starting a football club that will compete in the Asian level and at the same time start a grassroot program.

Real Madrid Foundation is the second organization from Spain to show interest in the Philippine football program after Andalucia sent its coaches to the country in 2006 to train national youth coaches.

Real Madrid Foundation has an existing agreement with the International Federation of Football Associations (Fifa) for the development and promotion of sports values between Spanish citizens and immigrant youth.

The foundation also has existing programs in Bolivia, Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Jamaica.

Real Madrid Club de Futbol is among the most successful football teams in Europe having won nine Union of European Football Associations championships, 30 Premiere Division titles, and 17 Copa del Rey trophies.

Last December Fifa president Joseph Blatter made a historic visit to the country, the first by the highest-governing official of the world’s most popular sport.

The attention the country is getting worldwide stands in contrast with the attention it gets locally. The men’s team was scrapped from the list of Southeast Asian Games participants last year, while the women’s team failed to even reach the medal round. Local soccer was in the headline recently after a PFF referee was banned for life after maliciously taking video of women varsity players in their dugout.

Shaq eclipsed

PHOENIX—It sure seemed like May or June, anything but February, with a frenzied backdrop and thickened tension that were present and tangible long before tip-off.

Manila surprised to be No. 2

Bacolod City—Canlubang started hot as expected, and Manila Golf, too—but that, on the contrary, was rather surprising.

JENNIFER ROSALES tries anew to get back on track and follow up on her Women’s World Cup of Golf success with Dorothy Delasin when she competes in the Fields Open at the Ko Olina Golf Club in Hawaii Friday.

RYAN GREGORIO believes he has found the antidote that would enable his troops to endure the physicality of the championship series.

Far Eastern U (FEU) accomplished a rare feat in football after sweeping the men’s and women’s divisions in Season 70 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Thursday at the Ateneo Field.

IT seems like world soccer is still keeping a special eye on the Philippines despite the sport’s moribund state in the country.

I CAN’T help but admire the resolve of the people behind the RP Youth basketball team that was presented in an elaborate ceremony last Tuesday at the jampacked Teatrino in Ortigas, Pasig City.