Feedback: The sorry state of Rizal Memorial Stadium
FEEDBACK.
Here's a feed back from a reader:
Mike,
me and my son heeded the Azkals for support during the home game.
Now, for future games may the Azkals management heed the fans voice.
Last Saturday, RMS is continually degrading.
We
sat at the bleachers section thinking that it would be fun. It was
but the facilities are not. About 5000 fans were made to contend
with six unlighted portalets. Worse, I asked the ushers if there was
any CR available an usher answered that the walls can be used. i said
that I wont do it because only animals do it and what kind of example
would be to my son.
Though
there was ample food especially done by family mart, the compound is
dirty. Attendance was not full and I am of the opinion that if Manila
can not fill it up then Panaad or Cebu should host the Azkals' next
important games. Why reward Manila when it is not cooperative? Reward
Panaad and Cebu. I am from Manila but I hope Panaad and Cebu gets to
host the next games."
My take: I
haven't been back to Rizal since the Kuwait game in 2011, and though
the pitch has been turned artificial, overall, the assesment I get is
that our national stadium named after our national hero is still in a
sorry state.
The
70-year-old edifice needs sprucing up, but the first question is, who
maintains it and who will spend for its upgrade?
The
PFF and the Philippine Sports Commission had a tug-of-war for the
installation of the artificial turf, which the PSC eventually won and
now the PFF is in an unenviable state of being identified as host in
international matches in a stadium that have seen better years. If I'm not wrong, it's the PSC that has the final say on anything about Rizal.
Panaad
is in a much better state than Cebu, whose stadium no longer has a
pitch.
It's
the next stage of the football revolution, for LGUs to realize
football is a sport that is growing and for them to put up their own
stadiums, or perhaps pitches, not only for elite tournaments but for
their constituents as well.
By the way, congrats to all the fans who showed up for the home game, that was the best crowd, I think, since the 2011 match against Kuwait. Here's hoping in the next home game, no one would be sitting and they'd all be dancing, chanting and waving the Philippine flags.
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