By Josef T. Ramos, Correspondent
THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF) revealed on Monday that the organizers of the Suzuki Cup are offering the Philippines to host the prestigious event in 2014.
Based on the successful staging of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup on February 7 in Bacolod City, Ian Mathie, vice president of the World Sports Group said they are very much in favor of holding the event in the country.
PFF President Mariano Araneta after confirming the report, said, “Hosting will not only be an honor but it will show the world that we have arrived as a footballing nation. With solid crowd support, who knows what our national team can achieve?”
The Suzuki Cup organizers faxed the letter of invitation to the PFF on February 23.
In the letter, Mathie emphasized that the Philippines must follow a strict criteria to qualify or be selected as next potential host country of the biennial meet. He said they are willing to help the Philippines to find a suitable stadium for the event.
“Not only is [the Suzuki Cup] it Southeast Asia’s premier football event, it is also the standard bearer for all sporting events in the region. We are willing to assist the PFF in identifying a suitable stadium that will undoubtedly require upgrades and renovations to meet the aforementioned criteria,” a part of the letter reads.
Araneta said the PFF is studying the potential of a 4.5-hectare field in Parañaque City as training ground of the country’s football team.
The property is donated by Brother Mike Velarde of the religious group El Shaddai.
Manila Times
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The Philippines musn't finish last in the 2012 edition. Because if they do, they would have to go through qualifiers again. Therefore, there is a chance they might not qualify. And if they don't qualify, most likely we won't be awarded as hosts.
ReplyDeleteI believe that in the event that we will be hosting the 2014 edition, the results in the 2012 will be irrelevant since being the host country means that we are already automatically qualified in the 2014 Suzuki Cup. Under FIFA rules, host countries in cup matches automatically qualifies as can be gleaned in the recently concluded awarding of the 2022 World Cup wherein Qatar being the host qualifies for the first time for the World Cup come 2022.
ReplyDeleteThe decision to host will normally be taken after the 2012 Championship. Same as they did for 2010 Championship.If Philippines are not qualified they cant be hosting.
ReplyDeleteRealistically, the Philippines can't be the lone host for the event. Co-hosting will probably happen.
ReplyDeleteI mean if the Philippines will be the lone hosts, at least 4 stadia will be required, 2 per group. But as of now, only two stadia that I know of are available and they are barely up to standard - Panaad, and Rizal Memorial assuming that renovations are complete.
The last person who posted is accurate. Only two stadiums, maybe three if you include ULTRA but geez that pitch will need to be relaid. These last events were hosted by Indonesia and Vietnam. Maybe we can host one group. That will be a riot if this will happen. Hopefully we can maintain our form until 2014. I dont think there are rules that automatically qualify you for the group stage as hosts for the Suzuki Cup. Its unlikely they would award hosting rights to a country who would need to go thru the qualifiers. I think all these developments with FIFA giving us money for a training facility and the offer to host is that the international football community is giving us every chance to boost the sport locally as we are probably the last country in Asia who doesnt have football as the most popular sport.
ReplyDeleteThere are two very good stadiums is Negros. One is in Bacolod City and the other one is in Dumaguete City. Check the link below
ReplyDeletehttp://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=71715807&postcount=17238
The link is for Dumaguete's Stadium
ReplyDelete