BY NIDA BUENAFE
Representatives from the Asian Football Confederation will be in Bacolod City this week to check on the suitability of the Panaad Sports Stadium as venue of the AFC Challenge Cup Preliminary Playoff game between the Philippines and Mongolia next month.
As agreed among the football and sports officials of the two countries, each nation will host one game and the football pitch in Panaad gets the endorsement of the Philippine Sports Commission as possible venue for the Feb. 9 game, pending the approval of the AFC.
Although he is glad to see Negros Occidental hosting another international sports event, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he made it clear to the PSC that the provincial government has no funds to spend for the installation of equipment and facilities that will be required by the AFC.
Among the requirements will be the installation of additional lights at the stadium, prompting the PSC to request from the Department of Education to allow the transfer of the floodlights at the Paglaum Sports Complex to Panaad.
Should the AFC game push through at the Panaad, Marañon said he will request the organizers to allow the public to watch it for free.
Negrenses are known to be avid supporters of football, and the Panaad Stadium was packed with cheering crowd during the times the province was tapped to host international football match-ups.*NAB
Visayan Daily Star
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