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| FIFA executive council member Mariano Araneta, FIFA sec-gen Mattias Grafstrom, PFF president John Gutierrez, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, and PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio signed a memorandum of agreement that signifies the start of the Rizal Memorial Stadium's major rebuild. PSC |
MANILA—The iconic Rizal Memorial Stadium will some become a football-exclusive venue as the renovation of the 92-year-old pitch gets underway.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Pato Gregorio confirmed on Sunday that the athletic track that makes Rizal Memorial dual-sport purposed will be removed to make it "soccer-specific" as part of a major makeover in partnership with FIFA.
No less than FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the stadium and personally handed a US$20 million grant to the PSC through a memorandum of agreement that was signed at the PSC House.
Gregorio then said that everything athletics will be moved to the PhilSports Complex in Pasig as part of its own major renovation.
"The PSC Board has approved the total renovation of the track and field in PhilSports. The PSC has approved the master plan of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum," Gregorio said.
He added that separating the operations of the Rizal Memorial Stadium and PhilSports Complex assures that both battlegrounds can host world-class football and athletics events.
"Kailangan gawin nating world class yung football; gawin rin nating world class yung track. Pag magkasama pareho, hindi world class yan," Gregorio further said.
He further said that the renovation of the PhilSports Complex already got the approval of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and Asian Athletics.
On the other hand, the MOA signing formalized FIFA and the Philippine Football Federation's approval of the Rizal Memorial Stadium overhaul.
Current PFF president John Gutierrez and former chief Nonong Araneta, currently a member of the FIFA executive council, were also present in the MOA signing.
Gregorio said that the Rizal Memorial Stadium upgrade will begin in January with a target completion timeline of 15 months.
Once completed, the venue can now accommodate up to 25,000 football fans.
Gregorio added that the entire stadium will have a roof, so fans at the current bleacher section will no longer have to worry about getting wet while watching in the rain due to restrictions on bringing umbrellas to the venue.
To make up for the removal of the athletic track, the PSC will put up a dedicated jogging lane throughout the 9-hectare Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
He also said that the northbound lane of Adriatico Street will be turned into a plaza where fans can enjoy great food and entertainment outside while waiting for the football matches to start.
