BALANGA CITY — A team from the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the world’s governing body for football, has led the inauguration of the first FIFA Arena in the Philippines on Tuesday in Barangay Bagumbayan here.
“Football is very inclusive. We would like to invite everyone to enjoy football and have access to safe spaces. This pitch will benefit the schools surrounding the area,” FIFA team leader Niko Nhouvannasak of Canada said.
“We would like to encourage communities, grassroots, clubs to have the space to play football here.”
Nhouvannasak also lauded the Philippine Football Federation and the city government of Balanga for the completion of the FIFA Arena.
“There is no payment [for] playing at the arena for it is a free space for children to enjoy football,” he said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the project to construct over 1,000 mini pitches around the world in 2024.
“And now, in 2025, 2026, we have already rolled out this globally with more than 60 countries already part of this program. And obviously, all 211-member associations will benefit from this program,” Nhouvannasak said.
“Our vision, we believe that every child has the potential to become a football player. As long as we are following our dreams, as long as we are inspired, as long as we have the platform and opportunities to follow our dreams.”
He also said that a FIFA arena is also a platform for dreams to be established, for dreams to be inspired, and for them to start somewhere.
“We always want our kids to play, but they do not have space to play, [so] it’s obviously very difficult. And FIFA arena is the perfect platform for all these kids,” he added.
“We are hoping obviously out of this FIFA arena, we find talents to join the national team at some point.”
Nhouvannasak, meanwhile, said the Philippines has a huge potential to become a football powerhouse in the international scene.
“We know that basketball, for example, is the number one sport in the country. But we believe that football can be more beneficial to the country and the children itself,” he said.
“We need to start somewhere. And this is our first pitch in the Philippines.” The second FIFA Arena in the country is set to be built in Palawan.
Tara Ann Pagdanganan, acting department head for education in Balanga City, said that the city government provided the land while FIFA shouldered the construction of the arena.
City councilors VJ Fernandez and Christian Manalaysay represented Mayor Raquel Garcia in the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday. Some football officials from Olongapo City also graced the affair.