Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) and the MVP Sports Foundation Inc. (MVPSF) sealed their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on Sept. 8, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City.
The agreement was formalized by AFI president Tony Lambino, AFI senior director for development programs Emil de Quiros, and MVPSF president Alfredo Panlilio. Ayala Corp. chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and MVPSF chair Manny V. Pangilinan witnessed the event, along with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair John Patrick Gregorio.
Shared vision for Philippine sports
Under the MOU, the two foundations committed to providing comprehensive support for elite athletes, strengthening grassroots training, and collaborating on advocacy programs with government partners.
The partnership synergizes AFI’s sports development arm, Atletang Ayala, with MVPSF’s long-standing support for national athletes. Both groups aim to create sustainable pathways for talent discovery, athlete development, and global competitiveness.
“Right now, our next world champions could be anywhere in the Philippines, dreaming about their first international match but finding themselves with limited or even no opportunities to compete,” said Zobel de Ayala. “We have an excellent opportunity to be the bridge between their dreams and reality.”
Pangilinan underscored the broader impact of sports, saying: “The kind of virtues and qualities you need in sports are the same ones you need in life: hard work, discipline, focus, resilience. We’re happy to be working with the Ayalas in making sports more accessible to Filipinos.”
First initiative: World Pole Vault Challenge
The collaboration will debut with the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge, set for Sept. 20 and 21, 2025, at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City.
The competition — the dream project of Filipino champion pole vaulter EJ Obiena — will bring together the world’s best athletes in an internationally sanctioned pole vault event.
Looking ahead
With this landmark partnership, AFI and MVPSF are setting the stage for a stronger private-sector role in Philippine sports. Both groups said they look forward to future projects aimed at developing athletes who can bring pride to the country while inspiring the next generation of leaders. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
