A Night with the Coaches

Posted: 5 May 2011

This entry was supposed to be posted on 27 April 2011.

After my shift at the clinic last Monday, I dropped by the Corinthian Garden Football Field to check on the Azkals-Global Football Academy. I thought of going there first before I go to PhilSports Complex for Rugby training. But as the night went on, I’ve come to realize that there’s no more chance for me to catch up with Rugby training.

Besides the interview with the coaches, I’ve had the chance to hear some of their grievances and concerns. But I’ll talk about the interview first.

We were in Kabanya Garden Restaurant, sitting around the ‘improvised’ long table. Coaches were here and there. The children of Mr. Ricky Chan, one of the academy’s directors, were also there. I really appreciate their hospitality, especially Mr. Chan’s daughter. My bad, I can’t remember her name. [I'm so sorry. I don't usually remember names.] It’s been really a long time since I’ve encountered hospitality from a host’s children.

I was about to interview Mohammed “Mo” Ibrahim first, but he got caught up with the others’ conversation. I only managed to ask one question from him. I was thinking of doing the interview after they finish eating, but decided to carry on multi-tasking.

I was thankful of course when someone initiated to come to me and answer some of my questions. It was Coach Dexter Palad. Well, he was actually seated beside me. He first expressed his concern about his name, which was misspelled when I wrote about the  Azkals-Global Football Academy. The name that was given to me was ‘Dexter Padilla.’

The next coach I interviewed was 22-year old Charmie Tomaneng. I was impressed when she told me that teaching is her passion, that she’s been doing it for 7 years although she only does coaching every summer.

Next was Jennifer Barandoc, who is two years the senior of  Charmie. She invited Charmie to join the A-G FA coaching staff. Both were from UP. Like Charmie, Jennifer also loves to teach children.

I had the chance to interview one more coach. It was coach Bernard Lelis, a goalkeeper from Dolphins FC. Like Charmie and Jennifer, Bernard has a heart for children. He even coaches children with disabilities. And I’m not talking about physical disability. He and Jennifer were both invited by Coach Ayii.

Some of the coaches went home early (or earlier), and I was left with those who are from Global FC. I wasn’t able to interview them all, especially Coach Ayii, but I had the chance to interview Misagh Bahadoran. It seems like ‘save the best for last.’

I’m glad no Misagh fan was around, otherwise I might’ve had the need to master heading in case a football find its way on my head. And I hope my friends won’t ask me anything personal about Misagh. I don’t think there’s anything to share anyway, except for one.

Among the athletes I’ve interviewed, I consider Misagh as one of those who make every interview light as if it’s just a chat with a chap. There’s no air of arrogance when he answers questions, even when it’s about the goals he scored in a game. And he’s usually funny, giving answers you wouldn’t expect. My favourite, so far, was my first interview with him.

I asked Misagh after their first game, “How does it feel to be the top scorer of the night?” The 23-year old forward was quick to respond, “Hindi ako ‘yun!” (It wasn’t me!) Yeah, Misagh was not aware that he scored 3 goals that night.

When I was done with the interview with Misagh, everyone had already warmed up with their conversation about Football. Someone was obviously rooting for Real Madrid. They were also talking about international Football, which was not even all about the Premier League or La Liga.

As their conversation went on, they returned to the Philippines. Philippine Football. There was so much gravity about the conversation that when I got home, I was unusually tired. Drained actually. I wonder which temperament of mine let me absorb the negativity. That reminds me of T-Bag. Theodore Bagwell.

Carlos was in front of me. He was silent, usually talking in African with Jerome who was a seat away on my right. But when Misagh finally decided to leave, he said something passionately. I didn’t even have to use my nursing skill to know that he was, perhaps still is, really concern about what’s going on with his team.

Misagh, who always makes everything light, reinforced what Carlos said, but reminded me to unquote him if things don’t go their way. And I was like, just staring at him. I wasn’t able to say my retort. I actually wanted to say, “I’ll just write, ‘the guy who was wearing white shorts with red and a Mizuno jersey said it.’” Perhaps it’d be better if I write, “the coach right beside said it.” That sounds like a close-room discussion.