PFF renovation of Rizal Memorial delayed because of PSC law conflict

InterAKTV/Ryan Fenix

The planned renovation of the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, which would have included the installation of an artificial pitch, has been delayed because of conflicts between the Philippine Football Federation mandate and the Philippine Sports Commission Charter.

The PFF earlier secured funding for the renovation from world governing body FIFA, which mandates that exclusive management of the stadium be transferred from the PSC to the local football body for 25 years.

This is in conflict with Republic Act 6847 or the Philippine Sports Commission Act, which dictates that the PSC should have “administration and full control of all existing sports facilities, including land, buildings and equipment, owned by the national government as well as those owned by government-funded foundations.”

The only exceptions to the law are sports facilities owned by local governments, state colleges and universities, and public schools.

“The concern being worked on is the exclusive management and operations of the Rizal Memorial Football Field as recommended by FIFA, as the said facility is owned by the Philippine government and administered by the PSC,” said the PFF in a statement.

The FIFA grant, which amounts to $500,000, has not been given to either the PFF or the PSC. The grant was originally eyed for the renovation of the pitch at PhilSports Arena (formerly ULTRA), but the PSC and the PFF agreed to do it for the Rizal Memorial field instead.

Funding for the renovation comes from FIFA’s Goal Project, which has already helped build several facilities in the Philippines. FIFA built a training center and a pitch in football hotbed Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. It also funded the construction of PFF headquarters in 2007.

Follow @interaksyon