Manila, Philippines- The #1 sport in the world is about to get a taste of billiard infusion. Billiard event producer Dragon Promotions will be producing its first ever football game as the Philippines takes on visiting Korea. TV giant ABS-CBN in partnership with Dragon Promotions will produce and air this highly anticipated match-up which will take place January 21, 2012 in Manila at Rizal Memorial Stadium, the Philippines National Football Field.
Soccer has quickly risen to be the hottest sport in the Philippines now in less than 2 years. Big corporate companies and massive media coverage have boosted football and its national team, the Azkals, into super stardom. In the past month they have even hosted marquee names such as David Beckham and the LA Galaxy. The Azkals are the National team of The Philippine Football Federation (PFF), the governing body of football in the Philippines which is sanctioned and recognized by FIFA. FIFA is the International Federation of Association Football located in Zurich, Switzerland. FIFA is responsible for the organisation and governance of football's major international tournaments, most notably the FIFA World Cup, held since 1930.
"We are really excited about our first venture into a new sport. Football is most watched sport of the world, and we are amazed at the growth of it in the Philippines. It literally feels like an overnight sensation due to the diligent work of the Philippine Football Federation and vast support of ABS-CBN", said Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions. Dragon Promotions is also ABS-CBN's partner in producing major billiard events such as the Yalin Women's World 10-Ball Championship and the Predator International 10-Ball Championship.
Dragon Promotions has for over a decade brought billiards to millions of people through its television events. Dragon Promotions was voted #2 Most Influential Company in the Sport of Billiards by a worldwide poll.
"We've had vast experience over the years in billiards, which is regarded by many as a niche sport. We have always had it in our minds to be as mainstream as possible, which means you have to be open minded. Our success in billiards has opened up many terrific new doors in different industries. For us to now go from a niche sport to the number one sport in the world is about as exciting as it can get for us right now. We believe the things we will learn will carry back over to our billiard events", said Charlie Williams, Founder of Dragon Promotions.
South Korea is the most successful Asian country in football in the history of the FIFA World Cup. South Korea has participated in eight World Cup tournaments, which is the most amount of appearances for an Asian country. With a very organized infrastructure of junior programs all the way up to a national pro league, South Korea's experience is vast and till this day still remains as the only Asian team to ever make the Semi-Finals of the World Cup. The South Korean national team is currently ranked #32 in the FIFA World Rankings, while the Azkals are ranked #159.
The Azkals have been getting valuable experiences with top tier football teams. Toughened by recent games with the likes of David Beckham's LA Galaxy and upcoming CF Internacional de Madrid from Spain. The Azkals have posted up some great victories this past year over teams such as the 4-0 shutout of Sri Lanka and an upset victory over Nepal.
The January 21 game will be a great challenge to the young Azkals as they take on the South Koreans. The Azkals will have to use their home field advantage and be in top form in order to win this game.
"ABS-CBN is really excited about our further ventures with Dragon Promotions in this upcoming goodwill football match. During this sad time of the floods, this event is bringing forth our Korean communities living here together along with their Filipino neighbors for a common cause to help. Even though it is a tragic situation, out of this we hope to bring our two cultures closer together. This would be a hopeful beginning of the New Year", says Peter Musngi, Vice President of ABS-CBN Sports. Dragon Promotions and ABS-CBN will be working on various charities in relations to the soccer match for the victims from the floods caused by Tropical Storm Washi which caused the deaths of 1200 people and left 60,000 homeless.
Korean and Filipino businesses or companies interested in sponsoring or advertising in Philippines versus Korea Football Match are welcomed to contact dragonpromotionsnews@gmail.com
