THE inclusion of secondary girls? football as a demonstration event in the national competitions is aimed at increasing awareness and interest in the sport.

Visiting Fifa women?s football consultant Monika Staab got this impression when Filipino sports officials told her that girls? football competitions will soon be included as a regular event in the Palarong Pambansa and the soon-to-be-organized Philippine Youth Games.

Staab, who is from Frankfurt, Germany, is on a 17-day visit in the country to look into the state of women?s football in the Philippines.

She got word on the status of the sport from School Sports chief Len Toledo of the Department of Education and Commissioner Eric Loretizo of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Talks with Philippine Olympic Committee president Peping Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Football Federation chief Mari Martinez also gave her an insight on what to expect.

?I have talked to the Department of Education. They don?t have women?s football in the curriculum. But it?s in the Palarong Pambansa as a demonstration sport. This is the first step,? said Staab.

The Fifa official believes that women?s football will soon have a bright future in the country.

But the top officials in the Philippine Football Federation will need a lot of patience and time to make this happen.

After conducting a series of coaching courses since her visit began last week, Staab said a lot of work still has to be done.

Following her talks with former national women?s futsal coach Manny Batungbacal and members of the national squad, who quit after their mentor resigned, Staab added that she has taken note of the incident, and will make positive inputs to the PFF when her visit is over. Peter Atencio