BALANGA City – The Federation Internationale de Football Association inaugurated Tuesday in Barangay Bagumbayan here the first FIFA arena in the Philippines.
Canadian citizen Niko Nhouvannasak, FIFA team lead, said their first partner in the country together with the Philippines Football Federation is the local government of Balanga City where they have the most potential impact on grassroots, schools and communities.
“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. We would like to encourage also communities, grassroots, clubs to have the space to play football here,” the FIFA leader said.
Niko said there is no payment in playing at the arena for it is a free space for children to enjoy football.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced this project in 2024 in Paris infront of head of states to construct over 1,000 mini pitches around the world. In 2025, Niko said they have introduced this program to their member associations, to the Philippines Football Federation, and to every other federations in the world.
“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,” he 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,” Niko furthered.
He said that a FIFA arena is as well 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, then it’s obviously very difficult. And FIFA arena is the perfect platform for all these kids.”
Niko explained that a FIFA arena can become a platform for existing youth and grassroots programs like they have, for example, the Football for Schools program that oversees the capacity building of PE teachers to conduct football training and promote education and life skills at the same time.
“We are hoping obviously out of this FIFA arena to find talents to join the national team at some point but it’s not only about high performance. It’s not only trying to find a professional player. It is also for kids to enjoy the game,” Niko continued.
He believes that the Philippines has a huge potential to become among the biggest football countries in the world.
“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. This is the first FIFA arena in the Philippines. We need to start somewhere. And this is our first pitch in the Philippines,” Niko concluded.
The second FIFA arena to rise in the country is in Palawan.
Tara Ann Pagdanganan, acting City department head for City education, 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. Some football officials from Olongapo City graced the affair. (30)
