Post by beho on Feb 25, 2011 23:52:01 GMT 8
Legendary Azkal still busy with the beautiful game
By Jack Biantan
PinoyFootball.com Exclusive
LONDON -- IN the early 80's, football in the Philippines is associated with one man Elmer Lacknet Bedia. He was the country's Mr. Football.
He was a very good footballer. So good that that by age 24 he was recruited by an Australian professional team, the Brisbane Olympic United Football Club. From 1986 until now he remains in Brisbane with his wife Maria Theresa Salazar Bedia and their six children.
From Australia to the Philippines Elmer continues to help promote football.
But once in a while he comes home to the Philippines like when he played for the South East Asian Games (SEAG) in 1991 where he led the Philippines to it's best finish in the tournament. He also came home last year when he help prepare and organise the Homeless World Cup team.
This year, Elmer was once again back and was one of the thousands who witnessed history in Bacolod city when the now very popular Philippine Azkals defeated Mongolia in game 1 of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, 2-0.
Aside from helping promote football in his own way in the Philippines, Elmer is still active in Brisbane, after playing professional football there for nine years. He now coaches the junior team of the Olympic United FC where two of his six children Luck and Elmer Jr. are also playing. His other son Pele, plays for the U-14 team of the Queensland Roar, a top team in the Australian League, famously known as the A-League.
Elmer is a product of the Barotac Nuevo football heritage. He was discovered while playing for Barotac Nuevo in the National Football League then known as the Andres Soriano Football Cup at age 17. He led Barotac to the national title against then powerhouse San Miguel Corp. of Juan Cutillas.
After that historic victory over SMC, Philippine Airforce then coached by Col. Lope Pascual, signed him. He then became a regular in the national team and his legend begun.
Interview
Here is Pinoyfootball.com interview of Philippine Football's living legend:
Pinoyfootball.com: What is keeping you busy right now?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: My job and coaching at Olympic United Football Club. I am also busy with my family and enjoying BBQ along the beach (Gold Coast ) on weekends.
Pinoyfootball.com: How long did you play for the RP team?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Almost 15 years but knee injuries cut my career short.
Pinoyfootball.com: What is your most memorable game with the RP team?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: In 1991 beating Malaysia 1-0 at home in Manila in front of 25,000 thousand people at Rizal Memorial stadium. I was already playing professional football here in australia. I was the only Azkal who played abroad during that time. Making the assist for the winning goal of Norman Fegidero was the most satisfying.
Pinoyfootball.com: Are your still involve with RP football now?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I was involved with helping the Homeless World Cup team as a consultant with director Rudy del Rosario. Helping homeless kids to achieve something through football is the most satisfying thing to do. I give something back to the sport that gave me a life that I could not imagine. I am really interested in coaching youngsters and let us see what happens next. I want really to go back and share the knowledge what I learned here in Australia.
Pinoyfootball.com: What do you do in Australia?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I work for a company called ComGroup. I also coach Club football for the Brisbane's Olympic United. That was where I played for nine year.
Pinoyfootball.com: When did you go to Australia?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I came here in June of 1986. I was 24 years old.
Pinoyfootball.com: How long did you play for the RP team?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Fifteen years of travelling and playing for your country was the most satisfying time of my life.
Pinoyfootball.com: Who are you married to? How many children?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Maria Teresa Salazar. I have half a football team all boys, Elgin, Luck, Clar, Elmer Jr., Pele, and Isiah.
Pinoyfootball.com: Are they also playing football?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Only the three boys are playing,Pele for Queensland Roar U-14 team. Luck, and Elmer Jr., for my Club the Brisbane Olympic United FC. They all want to play for the Azkals one day.
With former team mate and now PFF president Nonong Araneta. He discribes Araneta as a good leader, a good father and good for football.
Pinoyfootball.com: Please tell me your football playing history briefly.
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I started playing when I was 11 yrs. old. I got pick up to represent the Barotac Nuevo,Football Club when I was 17 for the Philippine National championship in Manila. We played against a big club San Miguel Corp. in the championship match. It was coached by very respected coach of the Philippines National team Juan Cutillas. Anyway we won the Cup and went home as heroes . I was lucky to be coached by Pablito Araneta whom I learned a lot. In 1980, I joined the multi titled Philippine Airforce where I was coached by Col. Lope Pascual. I played alongside with great footballers, Mariano 'Nonong' Araneta, Ronnel Cajelo, Alicante, Berja, and Cecelio.
Pinoyfootball.com: I know that you are involve in the Homeless World Cup, why?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Helping players back home is my passion. When my former teammate in the national team Rudy Del Rosario asked me to get involve I said yes immediately and the rest is history. I also need to thank Bill Shaw and his Urban Organisation. Plus my sponsor the Mitchell family from Macau.
Pinoyfootball.com: There is positive development in the RP football now, what can you say about RP football?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: With the right people in the organisation they should start grassroots development for young talents for the future.
Pinoyfootball.com: What is your opinion on the Filipino internationalists who are now playing for the RP team?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I agree with this. Anyone with a single Filipino blood in his system should be given chance to represent the country they choose.
Pinoyfootball.com: Mariano 'Nonong' Araneta Jr. was your teammate before, what advise can you give him in running the PFF?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I know him since we were kids. He was a teammate with the Philippine Airforce and the national team. He is a great leader, a father, he knows what he is capable of, we can always expect bright future for Philippine football.
GOD BLESS.
By Jack Biantan
PinoyFootball.com Exclusive
LONDON -- IN the early 80's, football in the Philippines is associated with one man Elmer Lacknet Bedia. He was the country's Mr. Football.
He was a very good footballer. So good that that by age 24 he was recruited by an Australian professional team, the Brisbane Olympic United Football Club. From 1986 until now he remains in Brisbane with his wife Maria Theresa Salazar Bedia and their six children.
From Australia to the Philippines Elmer continues to help promote football.
But once in a while he comes home to the Philippines like when he played for the South East Asian Games (SEAG) in 1991 where he led the Philippines to it's best finish in the tournament. He also came home last year when he help prepare and organise the Homeless World Cup team.
This year, Elmer was once again back and was one of the thousands who witnessed history in Bacolod city when the now very popular Philippine Azkals defeated Mongolia in game 1 of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, 2-0.
Aside from helping promote football in his own way in the Philippines, Elmer is still active in Brisbane, after playing professional football there for nine years. He now coaches the junior team of the Olympic United FC where two of his six children Luck and Elmer Jr. are also playing. His other son Pele, plays for the U-14 team of the Queensland Roar, a top team in the Australian League, famously known as the A-League.
Elmer is a product of the Barotac Nuevo football heritage. He was discovered while playing for Barotac Nuevo in the National Football League then known as the Andres Soriano Football Cup at age 17. He led Barotac to the national title against then powerhouse San Miguel Corp. of Juan Cutillas.
After that historic victory over SMC, Philippine Airforce then coached by Col. Lope Pascual, signed him. He then became a regular in the national team and his legend begun.
Interview
Here is Pinoyfootball.com interview of Philippine Football's living legend:
Pinoyfootball.com: What is keeping you busy right now?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: My job and coaching at Olympic United Football Club. I am also busy with my family and enjoying BBQ along the beach (Gold Coast ) on weekends.
Pinoyfootball.com: How long did you play for the RP team?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Almost 15 years but knee injuries cut my career short.
Pinoyfootball.com: What is your most memorable game with the RP team?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: In 1991 beating Malaysia 1-0 at home in Manila in front of 25,000 thousand people at Rizal Memorial stadium. I was already playing professional football here in australia. I was the only Azkal who played abroad during that time. Making the assist for the winning goal of Norman Fegidero was the most satisfying.
Pinoyfootball.com: Are your still involve with RP football now?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I was involved with helping the Homeless World Cup team as a consultant with director Rudy del Rosario. Helping homeless kids to achieve something through football is the most satisfying thing to do. I give something back to the sport that gave me a life that I could not imagine. I am really interested in coaching youngsters and let us see what happens next. I want really to go back and share the knowledge what I learned here in Australia.
Pinoyfootball.com: What do you do in Australia?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I work for a company called ComGroup. I also coach Club football for the Brisbane's Olympic United. That was where I played for nine year.
Pinoyfootball.com: When did you go to Australia?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I came here in June of 1986. I was 24 years old.
Pinoyfootball.com: How long did you play for the RP team?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Fifteen years of travelling and playing for your country was the most satisfying time of my life.
Pinoyfootball.com: Who are you married to? How many children?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Maria Teresa Salazar. I have half a football team all boys, Elgin, Luck, Clar, Elmer Jr., Pele, and Isiah.
Pinoyfootball.com: Are they also playing football?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Only the three boys are playing,Pele for Queensland Roar U-14 team. Luck, and Elmer Jr., for my Club the Brisbane Olympic United FC. They all want to play for the Azkals one day.
With former team mate and now PFF president Nonong Araneta. He discribes Araneta as a good leader, a good father and good for football.
Pinoyfootball.com: Please tell me your football playing history briefly.
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I started playing when I was 11 yrs. old. I got pick up to represent the Barotac Nuevo,Football Club when I was 17 for the Philippine National championship in Manila. We played against a big club San Miguel Corp. in the championship match. It was coached by very respected coach of the Philippines National team Juan Cutillas. Anyway we won the Cup and went home as heroes . I was lucky to be coached by Pablito Araneta whom I learned a lot. In 1980, I joined the multi titled Philippine Airforce where I was coached by Col. Lope Pascual. I played alongside with great footballers, Mariano 'Nonong' Araneta, Ronnel Cajelo, Alicante, Berja, and Cecelio.
Pinoyfootball.com: I know that you are involve in the Homeless World Cup, why?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: Helping players back home is my passion. When my former teammate in the national team Rudy Del Rosario asked me to get involve I said yes immediately and the rest is history. I also need to thank Bill Shaw and his Urban Organisation. Plus my sponsor the Mitchell family from Macau.
Pinoyfootball.com: There is positive development in the RP football now, what can you say about RP football?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: With the right people in the organisation they should start grassroots development for young talents for the future.
Pinoyfootball.com: What is your opinion on the Filipino internationalists who are now playing for the RP team?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I agree with this. Anyone with a single Filipino blood in his system should be given chance to represent the country they choose.
Pinoyfootball.com: Mariano 'Nonong' Araneta Jr. was your teammate before, what advise can you give him in running the PFF?
Elmer Lacknet Bedia: I know him since we were kids. He was a teammate with the Philippine Airforce and the national team. He is a great leader, a father, he knows what he is capable of, we can always expect bright future for Philippine football.
GOD BLESS.