THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF) bared plans to make the Philippine Sports Stadium more accessible to football fans to watch the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup.
Since there's no direct public transportation to the venue, PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes said that buses are set to be provided for fans who will make the trip to Bocaue for the AFF Suzuki Cup matches,
Gastanes said fans will shell out P55 for a round-trip bus ride from a terminal at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City to the Philippine Sports Stadium.
“We have arranged for buses. In the past, 300 pesos ‘yung singil ng mga na-arrange namin na bus, but now, it’s down to 55 pesos,” said Gastanes during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
The 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup begins on Saturday at the Philippine Sports Stadium, with Rizal Memorial Sports Complex also holding a match on November 25, the final playing day of the preliminaries. Group A teams will see action with defending champion Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and host Philippines looking to barge into the top two of the prelims.
Gastanes said the bus arrangements were made in answer to the clamor by fans who have plans to watch the matches in the sprawling 20,000-seat venue owned by Iglesia Ni Cristo, but were hesitant due to the location of the venue.
“I admit, I receive so many calls from fans, groups even na gusto pumunta. Ang counter namin is to lower ticket prices kasi alam namin na magbabayad pa ng pamasahe ‘yung tao. That is why we tried to counter the problem of traffic and mass transportation,” said Gastanes.
Gastanes explained the PFF had originally proposed to chief organizer Lagardere Sports that the primary venue of the Suzuki Cup for this year was the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex due to its proximity in the metro.
“We nominated Rizal Memorial as the primary venue and the Philippine Sports Stadium. But it was disapproved. Binaliktad ng organizer,” said Gastanes.
But other than traffic and transportation issues, Gastanes said preparations for the hosting have been smooth, with the players being booked at Novotel located at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
“They will be provided with buses and escorts. PFF has its own national security officer who is serving general of the PNP. He is helping up in all the arrangements,” said Gastanes.
Read more at http://www.spin.ph/football/azkals/news/pff-transportation-arrangements-aff-suzuki-cup-philed-gastanes#ecY4vHoF0RKcG6X0.99
Kudos to the PFF, as they are doing the right thing. Now it is time for the Pinoys to support their team. I found this blog at the Usapang Filipino website, posted by amaspogi Oct. 23, 2016. All Pinoys should fully appreciate the message and the critical importance.
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Importance of the Suzuki Cup
By next year 2017, every national team in the world will be very busy trying to make it to the World Cup in Russia. For those who did not qualify, it will be a rather empty space, a sports vacuum, days of contemplation, a "Quo vadis?" time.
We are already sensing it here in the Philippines. Interest in Azkals have fallen down, stadium attendance is at a low. And it will be even worst if they fail to make it to the knockout stage. The current odds are all against the Azkals.
Getting the Suzuki Cup Championship Trophy gives a completely positive outlook for the future. Added to this is playing well in the next SouthAsian Olympic Games in 2017 with the U23s. The SouthAsian Games is important because it represents the youth, i.e. the next generation of players, the players for World Cup 2022.
In the meantime, the Azkals will need all the support of the Filipinos during these home games. We should all "dig in at full support". Losing is not an option. Buy your tickets.
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