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Post by maximus on Feb 12, 2011 6:57:02 GMT 8
Philippines’darlings Azkals offered new homes MANILA, Philippines—If plans do not miscarry, the Azkals won’t be homeless anymore. On top of that, the country’s newest sports darlings may end up having many foster parents. The Marikina City government on Friday announced it would spruce up its Sports Center so that it would become the Philippine national football team’s training center and “the home of the Azkals.” The Azkals caught the nation’s imagination late last year with sensational wins at the regional Suzuki Cup qualifying tournament, beating defending champion Vietnam in a group match before bowing to Indonesia in the knockout phase. And the team did it without having a regular training ground at home to practice on. Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman and Azkals manager Dan Palami last week discussed plans to convert the city’s sports field into the team’s training center, Marikina government information chief Paul Sison told reporters. But the field would need some upgrading. “The feedback we received from the team was that the field was not even,” Sison said. He said the center was damaged during the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Ondoy” two years ago. Floodwater flowed through the race track and the pitch, destroying the grass and the field. Rehabilitation costs Palami has estimated that the local government would need about P4 million to rehabilitate the center’s football field and restore the pitch’s natural grass, Sison said. Converting the pitch into artificial grass would cost about P16 million, Sison quoted the Azkals manager as saying. Sison said the Marikina center could not be a likely venue for tournament matches since its stands could only accommodate 12,000 people, against the international standard of 30,000. Having the Azkals settle in Marikina—also dubbed the country’s shoe capital—is part of the local government’s bid to attract investors, tourists and even new citizens, Sison said. Why ‘Azkal’? ;DThe Azkals team derived its name from a play on the Filipino term for stray dogs (asong kalye), or dogs without a home or without pedigree. The name gained further currency with the increased popularity of the team following the inclusion of players of mixed Filipino and foreign parentage, including American, British, German and Dutch. It was the fans themselves who suggested the name “Azkal” for the team, saying it stands for someone who beats all odds to win, transcending bloodlines.
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Post by maximus on Feb 15, 2011 6:07:41 GMT 8
PFF wants to rush MOA for new pitch MANILA---The Philippine Football Federation wants to fast-track the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with charismatic religious leader Bro. Mike Velarde, who owns the 4.5 hectare prime property in Parañaque where a new football field will be constructed. PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said he hopes the MOA will be signed and submitted to the legal department of the International Football Federation (Fifa) in time for a Fifa conference on Feb. 28 when Goal project proposals will be discussed. The construction of an artificial pitch will be Goal Project 2 for the Philippines and will have a $500,000 grant from Fifa. “If we can have the project approved by Feb. 28, we will have a field in six months,”[glow=red,2,300][/glow] Araneta told the Inquirer over the phone. Araneta said the project only covers the construction of an artificial football pitch and not a grandstand. The national teams have been without a regular practice facility and trained in different venues like University of Makati, Nomads, Alabang Country Club, Ateneo and International School. Velarde has actually offered an area close to the pitch where the PFF can hold office and Araneta said there is a strong possibility that they will be selling the federation’s building in Pasig to fund the construction of a new one near the facility. Araneta said that their priority is to get the approval of the project first before the construction of a new office. Araneta, who replaced Mari Martinez as PFF president in November last year, acknowledged the tough task he is facing following the surge in support for the PFF. On top of the aid it receives from international organizations, Smart Communications pledged P80 million and Air21 added P21 million for the PFF’s projects in the next 10 years. Araneta said there is a need to beef up the PFF staff, currently numbering just 18. “Much is expected from us now with all that’s been happening so we also have to deliver,” said Araneta, a former national team standout himself.
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Post by maximus on Feb 25, 2011 7:38:36 GMT 8
Finally, nat’l booters to get own pitch MANILA---The National football team’s dream to play in its own pitch will soon become a reality. The Philippine Football Federation has come to terms with charismatic El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde, who is donating 1.5 hectares of his prime property in Parañaque for the construction of an artificial pitch that will serve as the Azkals’ official training ground. PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the memorandum of agreement for the donation of the lot has already been signed and will be sent to the International Football Federation (Fifa), which will then discuss the project in its meeting on Feb. 28. If the Goal Project 2 for the Philippines is approved next week by Fifa, the pitch will be ready in six months, Araneta said. Velarde’s donation comes as another boost for the PFF, which has drawn more corporate support following the Azkals’ impressive run to the semifinals of last year’s AFF Suzuki Cup. Araneta said Velarde plans to donate three more hectares if the joint venture for the construction of the grandstand pushes through. “This is a welcome development for us,” said Araneta, a former national player himself. “We are very thankful to Bro. Mike for his help to Philippine football. This will definitely help improve our national teams, which have been homeless for quite some time.”
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Post by mypinoyfutbol on Feb 26, 2011 10:59:51 GMT 8
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Post by maximus on Mar 2, 2011 17:13:21 GMT 8
Fifa donates P21.7M for construction of new pitchMANILA---The International Football Federation (Fifa) has approved a $500,000 (P21.72 million) grant for the construction of an artificial football pitch in Parañaque City. Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta yesterday told the Inquirer that the Fifa gave the green light to the plan, which the international federation calls Goal Project 2, in a meeting last Monday. Domeka Garamendi, the former PFF secretary general who is now development officer at Fifa, informed Araneta about the grant. The 1.5-hectare lot for the proposed pitch was donated by charismatic religious leader Bro. Mike Velarde. It will take six months to finish the project, according to Araneta, and the Fifa grant will only cover the construction of the pitch. Dan Palami, the manager for the national football team who was also instrumental in securing the help of Velarde, said they are eyeing a joint venture with a private firm to fund the construction of a grandstand. Palami acknowledged that the lack of a training pitch has been one of the problems the Azkals have faced over the years. “ At least, we will have a home within the year,” said Palami, who also thanked sponsors of the Azkals’ recent training camp in Baguio City, including the Baguio Country Club. The Azkals are preparing for the second leg of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying series against Mongolia in Ulan Bator on March 15. The Azkals won the first leg, 2-nil. “It’s definitely a boost for Philippine football,” Araneta said of the project. “Having our own pitch will go a long way in our effort to develop the sport.”
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Post by Filipinas50 on Mar 2, 2011 17:28:31 GMT 8
Fifa donates P21.7M for construction of new pitchMANILA---The International Football Federation (Fifa) has approved a $500,000 (P21.72 million) grant for the construction of an artificial football pitch in Parañaque City. Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta yesterday told the Inquirer that the Fifa gave the green light to the plan, which the international federation calls Goal Project 2, in a meeting last Monday. Domeka Garamendi, the former PFF secretary general who is now development officer at Fifa, informed Araneta about the grant. The 1.5-hectare lot for the proposed pitch was donated by charismatic religious leader Bro. Mike Velarde. It will take six months to finish the project, according to Araneta, and the Fifa grant will only cover the construction of the pitch. Dan Palami, the manager for the national football team who was also instrumental in securing the help of Velarde, said they are eyeing a joint venture with a private firm to fund the construction of a grandstand. Palami acknowledged that the lack of a training pitch has been one of the problems the Azkals have faced over the years. “ At least, we will have a home within the year,” said Palami, who also thanked sponsors of the Azkals’ recent training camp in Baguio City, including the Baguio Country Club. The Azkals are preparing for the second leg of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying series against Mongolia in Ulan Bator on March 15. The Azkals won the first leg, 2-nil. “It’s definitely a boost for Philippine football,” Araneta said of the project. “Having our own pitch will go a long way in our effort to develop the sport.” That's GREAT NEWS! Hopefully a grandstand and bleachers would also be built around the pitch...
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Post by maximus on Mar 2, 2011 17:50:15 GMT 8
let's cross our fingers that this proposed football field can hold at least 20K spectators in every game. i'm really excited to see the render of this project.
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Post by logic09 on Mar 2, 2011 17:58:07 GMT 8
let's cross our fingers that this proposed football field can hold at least 20K spectators in every game. i'm really excited to see the render of this project. -- let's declare it, and we'll have it soon!
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Post by faajose on Mar 6, 2011 17:59:52 GMT 8
sana nmn mga 30k . tsak nmn mapupuno yun MANILA eh
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Post by four on Mar 7, 2011 16:51:35 GMT 8
let's cross our fingers that this proposed football field can hold at least 20K spectators in every game. i'm really excited to see the render of this project. -- let's declare it, and we'll have it soon! amen.
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Post by wisekingjohn on Mar 18, 2011 17:30:05 GMT 8
A donated land is great but what is the intent really? Is it really just good faith? Valuations of the adjacent properties will rise up. Next, any business that will be put up near the facility will most likely profit to their wildest dreams.
I am for Corporate Sponsorship here's why. You know exactly what you are going to get.
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