BACOLOD CITY—The Philippine Football Federation is keen on hosting the Long Teng Cup, a four-nation invitational tournament involving the Philippines, Hong Kong, Chinese-Taipei and Macau, in October.
PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the possibility cropped up during the International Football Federation (Fifa) meeting he attended in Budapest recently.
On the sidelines of the international friendly between the Philippines and Guam here last night, Araneta said staging the event, which was hosted by Taiwan the past two years, will cost at least P9 million, a third of which will go to security costs.
The Philippines finished third in the initial staging of the Long Teng Cup, which served as the launching pad of its remarkable run to the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup in Vietnam two years ago. Last year, the Azkals improved with a second-place finish behind Hong Kong, which retained the title.
Azkals manager Dan Palami said the Long Teng Cup will be part of the preparation for the Suzuki Cup again in November in Thailand and Malaysia.
“We’re happy with the offer (to host) but we have to look at the costs first because it’s not in the PFF budget,” said Araneta. “But if there are sponsors that can spend for everything, then we will hold it here in the Philippines.”
The PFF is still contemplating on holding the matches either at the Rizal Memorial Stadium—if work on the artificial pitch will be completed—or at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.
But delaying the Rizal project just to accommodate the Long Teng Cup is not an option.
“It’s already in the pipeline of Fifa,” he said. “We are ready. Fifa is ready. We are just waiting for the memorandum of agreement to be signed by the Philippine Sports Commission.”
This is stupid! The Long Teng Cup is a Chinese Taipei invitational tournament and therefore should only be hosted by them!
ReplyDeleteThis is idea is like saying we should try to host Malaysia's Merdeka Cup or Thailand's King's Cup or even India's Nehru Cup etc... Stupid! If we want to host an invitation tournament, the PFF should create their own such as the Independence Day Cup instead of having a series of friendlies! That, or revive the Philippines International Cup.
everything for you when it's about PFF programs is "stupid"! hahaaay! palitan mo na si Nonong, bilis. i reckon you have lots to offer?
DeleteLOL!!! PFF programs?!?! Long Teng Cup PFF program ba yan?!?! Ulol!! Magisip ka muna bago ka magcomment!
DeleteI believe on you this time.
ReplyDeletePFF plans to hold P9M 4-nation meet
ReplyDeleteBy Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star) Updated June 13, 2012 12:00 AM Comments (1)
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BACOLOD, Philippines – The Philippine Football Federation is seriously looking at the possible hosting of the third edition of the Long Teng Cup, a four-nation tourney among Phl, Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese Taipei, either here or in Manila around September or October.
PFF president Nonong Araneta said Chinese Taipei, host of the first two tournaments, has begged off from staging the 2012 tourney and asked if the Filipinos can assume hosting chores.
“We have to look at the costs first because it’s not in the PFF budget. But if we can get sponsors who can spend for everything for the Long Teng Cup hosting, then we’ll hold it here in the country,” said Araneta, whose group has actually initiated talks with prospective sponsors for the four-team, single round-robin format tourney spread over six days.
He said early estimates for the staging were pegged at P9 million, inclusive of billeting for the participating teams and other logistical matters like security, if it were to be held at Rizal Memorial.
Araneta said the cost might be less if the Long Teng were to be played at Panaad here.
“Another concern is if Rizal, which is scheduled to be converted into an artificial turf by July, would be ready in time for the Long Teng Cup. If we can’t do it at Rizal, then we can hold it here in Panaad. There are also existing facilities here that can serve as practice field and I think more people will watch the competition here,” said Araneta.
The Phl has been a regular participant in the Long Teng Cup, which has been held in Kaohsiung since its inception in 2010. The Azkals placed third in the inaugural competition and improved to second behind back-to-back titlists Hong Kong last year, fired up by the exploits of Golden Boot winner Chieffy Caligdong.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami welcomed the possible hosting of the Long Teng Cup, which would serve as their final preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup slated in November.
“I would prefer to use the Long Teng as one of the matches where we are able to give the local-based players exposure they would need against other teams,” said Palami.
“But of course, if by that time some players based in Europe would be able to come over, they would be most welcome to join the team,” he added.
Phl XI played the Guam Matao in an international friendly last night at Panaad, largely considered the place where the Azkals’ popularity actually took off.