Jefferson Cheng
Jefferson Cheng is a Filipino businessman and association football administrator. He is the current manager of the Philippines women's national football team.
Jefferson Cheng | |
|---|---|
Cheng in 2022 | |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Occupation(s) | Sports team manager, sports administrator, businessman |
Education
Cheng attended Xavier School where he used to play competitive football as a leftback. He also studied at the University of the Philippines where he graduated with a degree in architecture.[1]
Career
Club football
Cheng owns Davao Aguilas F.C., a club which used to play in the Philippines Football League. He is also the co-owner of A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.[2][3]
Philippine women national team
Cheng has also been a sponsor of the Philippines women's national football team since 2017.[4] He was appointed the team manager of the team in 2017.[5] He has been also a co-chair of the Philippine Football Federation Women's Committee. As team manager, he oversaw the national team in the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers, as well as the tournament proper held in India.[6][5] His connections in Australia, led to the hiring of Alen Stajcic as head coach for Philippines' stint in the Asian Cup. Under Stajcic and Cheng, the Philippines ended its campaign as semifinalists and qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup – their first ever World Cup.[5]
Philippine youth national teams
Cheng has also been a sponsor of the Philippine youth national team system; from the under-19 to the under-23 team.[7]
Other ventures
Cheng serves as the director of Sabre Sports United and president of Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions.[8][9] He has been the director of the International Goalkeeping Academy of Jimmy Fraser.[9][10]
He also sponsors local youth tournaments in Davao through his company Speed Regalo.[11]
Personal life
Jefferson Cheng has a son named Enzo who has been a member of the Philippines national under-19 and under-22 national teams.[12]
References
- ^ "A football club is born: Meet Davao Aguilas FC". Rappler. March 27, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Saberon-Abalayan, Marianne (March 9, 2017). "Aguilas awaits club license for pro league". Sun Star Davao. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
- ^ "FFA confirms the sale of Western Sydney Wanderers to a consortium for a reported $10m fee". dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
- ^ del Carmen, Lorenzo (October 26, 2021). "Ex-Matildas coach Stajcic named new PWNFT head coach". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ a b c Fenix, Ryan (February 5, 2022). "From financial support to Stajcic hire, PH women's football team manager Jeff Cheng's impact crucial to World Cup run". GMA News. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "Football: PH women's team start preps for Asian Cup qualifiers". ABS-CBN News. August 5, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "A football club is born: Meet Davao Aguilas FC". Rappler. March 27, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "Sale of Western Sydney Wanderers should be soon approved as Mebrahtu and Mullen sign on". dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
- ^ a b Smithies, Tom (February 2, 2014). "Changes aplenty for Wanderers". News.com.au. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Biantan, Jack (April 10, 2017). "Biantan: Aguilas FC lucky to have Jefferson Cheng". Sunstar. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Biantan, Javk (May 6, 2019). "PFF Should Apologise To Jeff Cheng". Pinoy Football. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ "The kids are alright: Meet the U22 'Olympic' Azkals". Rappler. March 20, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2022.