16 April 2013

CFA commits game-ready field for AFF Cup


Tuesday, April 16, 2013
THE Cebu Football Association left a commitment to representatives of the Asian Football Confederation that the football pitch will be ready a week before the AFC President’s Cup next month.
The AFC has sent Head of Club Competition Benjamin Tan and operations manager of World Sports Group Madeleine Lim to inspect the Cebu City Sports Center, the venue for the qualifying stage.
Members of the media were supposed to meet these representatives, but they declined, saying they are not authorized to disclose their findings.
The two had made the rounds in the sports center last Monday and checked the dressing rooms and media room.
But they were bothered by the current situation of the field that was greatly affected by the Sinulog activity last January.
“Dili pa jud kapasar ang field, but nagpasalig ta na two weeks from now, it will be okay as we work on its rehabilitation,” said CFA tournament head Glen Quisido.
Surprised
Quisido said the two were even surprised to see how it degraded from its good form in the Lions and Azkals friendly match last November.
Philippine Football Federation general secretary Edwin Gastanes, Ebong Joson and Cyril Dofitas arrived earlier last Saturday to check on the preparations for the cup.
Gastanes also visited the sports center and the training areas and met with CFA President Ricky Dakay for arrangements in the competition.
“This is bigger in scope and entails more responsibility. Cebu had shown itseld to be a feasible venue and I’m satisfied with the adjustments being made for the cup with the dedication of CFA officers,” said Gastanes.
There will be a total of six games slated on May, 8, 10 and 12, which forms part of Cebu’s historic feat of hosting its first qualifying football tournament.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on April 17, 2013.


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