Panaad spruced up for Azkals' game

By Nick Giongco

MANILA, Philippines – The Panaad Sports Complex is about 70 percent ready to host the Feb. 9 AFC Challenge Cup qualifier between the Philippine Azkals and Mongolia, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Monico Puentevella said Saturday.

“The seating is already done and the field is ready and only the lighting needs to be improved,” said Puentevella from Bacolod City.

Puentevella, who has an advisory role in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), said more lights are going to be installed in the coming days and these will come from the Paglaum Sports Complex, another venue that hosts football matches in the past.

“Panaad is now playable but we are making sure that there would be more lights as per an advisory from the Asian Football Confederation,” said Puentevella, who was joined during an inspection of the venue by sportsman-businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, PBA commissioner Chito Salud and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia as they are all there for the start of the PBA Finals.

Puentevella said the issue of security will be tops on his list once the Azkals get there on Wednesday.

“Security is a main concern but we have taken care of that,” added Puentevella.
PFF officials are not sure whether the Philippines and Mongolia have played against each other even in a friendly match in the past.

Manila Bulletin