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Post by rpbenchwarmer on Feb 12, 2011 8:32:06 GMT 8
Guys, I started this thread to discuss the developments of Azkals' training centers in all parts of the Philippines aside from our home stadiums. I'll start with an article. Marikina readies booters new turf (The Philippine Star) Updated February 12, 2011 12:00 AM MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals may finally find a home in Marikina City once the local government’s proposed rehabilitation of its football field materializes within the year. Paul Sison, city public information chief, team manager Dan Palami and Mayor Del de Guzman have discussed the proposal before the group fled to Bacolod for their AFC Challenge Cup match with Mongolia. “Palami said he wants Marikina to be home of the Azkals because of its proximity,” Sison told reporters during a forum held by the Association of Information Officers of Metro Manila (AIMM). Azkals can use the field for their training and summer clinics, Sison added. According to Sison, Palami estimated the project cost at P4 million. The money will be used to remove bumps and thick mud brought by typhoon Ondoy two years ago. Sison expressed hopes that the project will kick off this month. He said the mayor has already approved the project and the only thing needed is the budget. According to Sison, their city can gain a “celebrity status” once the rehabilitation is over. “It can also become an instant tourist spot because we are expecting students from all over Metro Manila to come here and watch them play,” he said. Link: www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=656613&publicationSubCategoryId=69
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Post by rpbenchwarmer on Feb 12, 2011 8:33:37 GMT 8
Another older article. PFF offered 'home' for footballBy FRANCIS SANTIAGO January 26, 2011, 4:46pm MANILA, Philippines — The country’s bid to build a national football stadium that meets international standard got a boost after a private entity said it was willing to donate 4.5 hectares of land to the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta declined to reveal the identity of the private group, but sources said the head of El Shaddai, Mike Velarde, had broached the idea of donating a parcel of land in Paranaque for the purpose. Only the finer details are reportedly being ironed out such as if the place will also be used for religious purposes or whether it is exclusive for football. It was earlier reported that FIFA, the international football federation, was willing to help the PFF build its own stadium if the place will be used exlusively for football for at least 20 years. Araneta said if the donation of land will push through, it will fast track PFF’s plan to finally have “home” stadium that can host huge international events. “Maybe in two months, after we meet with them (donors) and seal the deal, we can submit the (site) report to FIFA for approval,” Mariano said. Araneta said FIFA is willing to give as much as $500,000 (about P21.5 million) to help realized PFF’s dream project. The PFF had earlier eyed the Philsports Arena in Pasig City as the site for the project but it could not get the Philippine Sports Commission to commit the facility for the exlusive use of football. Right now, the 15,500-seater Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City stands as the country’s lone venue fit to host international tournaments but on a Southeast Asian level only. Araneta said to host SEA level events, a football stadium must accommodate at least 15,000. Last December, the Philippines lost its chance to host its “home” game against Indonesia in the AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals after AFF officials believed that the Panaad Stadium is not fit for such an event. The Panaad Stadium, which can accommodate as much as 18,000, served as a satellite venue for the 2005 SEA Games and the Palarong Pambansa The Panaad Stadium will host the Azkals’ AFC Challenge Cup qualifier against a Mongolia on February 9. Link: www.mb.com.ph/articles/300806/pff-offered-home-football
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Post by rpbenchwarmer on Feb 15, 2011 21:50:16 GMT 8
Velarde comes to Azkals' rescueBy FRANCIS SANTIAGO February 15, 2011, 6:06pm MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said Tuesday that El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde has already agreed in principle to donate the 4.5 hectares of prime land in Parañaque City for the purpose of constructing a new football pitch under a FIFA grant. “He (Velarde) has agreed in principle,” said Araneta, adding that the charismatic leader only wants to revise some finer details in Memorandum of Agreement. Araneta said the MOA, crafted by the Fifa officials two weeks ago, has been delivered back to Azkals’ team manager Dan Palami on Monday for revision. The construction of the pitch will be made possible through Goal Project 2 of the FIFA, which will give the Philippines a $500,000 grant (about P21.7 million). Under the contract, Velarde will allow the PFF to use a parcel of land – located within one of the subdivisions developed by Velarde’s company, Anvel – for free for at least 25 years. Araneta said the MOA is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, and it will be submitted to the FIFA for the Feb. 28 meeting on Goal Project proposals. “It will only take six months to finish the construction of the field,” said Araneta, noting that it will be FIFA which will decide on the design of the pitch. The football pitch, for some period of time, will exclusively be used by the Azkals, who are preparing for their rematch with Mongolia for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match in the cold Ulan Bator on March 15. The Philippines is just one of the bevy of countries seeking FIFA’s help for the construction of a football field. Mongolia, through Goal Projects I and II, has already built an artificial pitch and an academic complex in Ulan Bator. Mongolia President Tsakhia Elbegdorj even visited FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland on Jan. 26 to thank FIFA president Joseph Blatter. Should the construction of artificial pitch pushes through, it will help sustain the gains achieved by the Azkals, German coach Michael Weiss said recently. “Apart from the Azkals, we have to have many pitches in the country because many young Filipinos want to play football,” Weiss said. “And we have to give them the opportunity to do it,” Weiss, 43, said. “In Manila, I think we only have one or two artificial pitches and I think it’s not enough for a city that has 10 million people.” Link: www.mb.com.ph/articles/304488/velarde-comes-azkals-rescue
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Post by rpbenchwarmer on Feb 15, 2011 22:20:11 GMT 8
Azkals eye three training venueSaturday, February 12, 2011 PHILIPPINE Military Academy's Borromeo field tops the list of venues of the Philippine Azkals when they visit the Summer Capital for a ten-day training. The team is scheduled to arrive on Feb. 19. Shortly after their 2-0 victory against the Mongolia Blu Wolves in the classification round of the Asian Football Cup, the Azkals are eyeing three training venues in the city. Borromeo Field has enough space for the squad to train and at the same time acclimatize before they move to Mongolia for their March 15 match in Ulan Bator. The Azkals are supposed to have their training in Cebu for ten days but opted to come up to Baguio instead because temperature in Mongolia these days reportedly reaches as low as -17 degree Celsius. Two more venues are also being considered--Brent School and Benguet State University. Training for the Azkals will officially start on Feb. 21 and will run until March 3, four days before eight division title holder and Congressman Manny Pacquiao comes up for his high altitude training against Sugar Shane Mosley. The visit of the Azkals is expected to trigger the City's emerging football popularity despite the lack of proper playing venues. Football was a popular sport in the 70s and 80s in the city. At that time, University of the Philippines Baguio, the Philippine Military Academy and the Brent International School had weekly tournaments. Even up to today, football is played at the Melvin Jones football grounds by foreign students coming from Africa, South Korea, India, Pakistan and the United States with the help of local football organizations like the Baguio United Football Club. The event will also add luster to the upcoming Panagbenga football Cup which is also being hatched by BUFC. (Roderick Osis) Link: www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/sports/azkals-eye-three-training-venue
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Post by rpbenchwarmer on Mar 2, 2011 19:12:59 GMT 8
Fifa donates P21.7M for construction of new pitchCedelf P. Tupas First Posted 02:13:29 02/03/2011 MANILA---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.” Link: www.inquirer.net/sports/articles/Fifa-donates-P217M-for-construction-of-new-pitch.html
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Post by cjeagle on Apr 20, 2011 4:26:45 GMT 8
PFF to build artificial turf at Philsports BY BONG PEDRALVEZ THE Philippine Football Federation intends to build an artificial pitch at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City using funds coming from FIFA’s Goal Project, according to PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. Araneta said the PFF has held initial talks with the Philippine Sports Commission, which has control over the Arena, and has received an encouraging response. The pitch will replace the football field at the arena being managed by the PSC. "We have had initial talks with PSC commissioner Chito Loyzaga, who oversees football, and they are offering the PFF the Philsports football field where the federation can construct the artificial pitch," Araneta said in an interview last Monday. "The PSC’s terms are favorable and on a long-term basis." Through its Goal project, which provides funds for football infrastructure such as fields and facilities, FIFA has earmarked $500,000 for the artificial pitch, Araneta said, adding the accessibility of the Philsports Complex to mass transport is important to the project. Araneta added that future financial aid from the Goal Project will be used to refurbish existing dormitories at the government sports agency-administered facility, which will serve as the quarters of the PFF national teams. "We only need to renovate the existing dorms at Philsports, which the PSC are also offering, using funds from future Goal Project subsidies and these will become the quarters of our national squads, including the Azkals," he said. Araneta said this is another reason why the PFF is inclined to accept the PSC deal, which will be submitted to FIFA for approval. An artificial pitch requires minimum maintenance and allows play in virtually all weather conditions. "Moreover, the FIFA will give new funds to replace the artificial pitch after 10 years, the usual life span of this turf," he said. El Shaddai spiritual leader Mike Velarde had earlier offered a prime lot in Paranaque as venue for the artificial turf but Araneta said the PFF is more inclined to accept the PSC offer. "We would like to thank Brother Mike for offering his lot to further boost football, which shows his faith in the future of the sport in the country," he said. www.malaya.com.ph/apr20/sports4.htmlThe only thing is that the FIFA funds are contingent on the field being used only for football. Does that mean that Philsports will become a football only stadiium? What becomes of our track and field athletes since they can't use Rizal either? This would be great if they can set up dorms though for our various national teams though but again FIFA might ask that this dorms be used only for our football teams and the PSC uses these dorms for our other athletes as well.
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