San Juan City launches futsal program for kids with PSC, PFF

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (center) leads the launch of his city’s Futsal Development Program on Sat., Aug. 29, 2026. With him are (from left) Spanish coach Rafael Merino Rodriguez, PSC Chairman. Patrick Gregorio, PFF President John Gutierrez (behind front row), and San Juan Vice Mayor Angelo Agcaoili. —Photo from Mayor Zamora’s office

MANILA, Philippines — San Juan City has launched its Futsal Development Program, a joint effort of the city government, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) to introduce the sport among children in the city’s 21 barangays.

Leading the launch on Saturday at the Barangay Tibagan Wooden Covered Basketball Court were San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, with his son and special assistant to the mayor, Rocco Zamora; PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio; and PFF President John Gutierrez.

Under the partnership, the PSC will fund the program, while the PFF will provide technical expertise, train local coaches, and oversee the implementation of the program during its initial one-year run.

As part of the launch, the PSC formally turned over 120 futsal balls and 20 pairs of futsal goals to the city government. The PSC will also fund the Training of Trainers for the city’s coaches, who will be trained by PFF coaches.

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San Juan City children join the futsal clinic. —Photo from Mayor Zamora’s office

Also at the launch was Rafael Merino Rodriguez, the Spanish head coach of the Philippine National Futsal Team and PFF technical director, who will support the rollout of the program and the Training of Trainers. Merino will share his expertise in grassroots futsal development and coach education.

After the launch and equipment turnover, the first futsal clinic was conducted, marking the beginning of the program’s grassroots training activities for young San Juaneños.

Under the program, young San Juaneños will undergo futsal training within their respective barangays two to three times a week, making organized sports training more accessible to children in their own communities.

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The initial training cycle will consist of 12 training sessions, after which participants will compete in their first futsal league tournament. This will be followed by another 12-session training cycle and a league tournament, allowing participants to continuously develop and apply their skills in competitive play.

The San Juan City Futsal Development Program is part of the city’s continuing efforts to expand grassroots sports opportunities and provide its young residents with structured avenues for physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, and athletic development while strengthening San Juan’s long-term sports development program. /atm