MANILA (6 Jan 2012) – The historic Rizal Memorial Stadium will be upgraded, courtesy of the third FIFA Goal project through the Philippines Football Federation (PFF).
Mariano Araneta, the president of the PFF said to the Philippines Inquirer this week that through the project, the capacity of the stadium will be increased to 23,000 from the 13,000 currently.
“I think it is a better venue,” said Araneta. “Other than a stadium per se, we can also turn the Rizal Memorial Stadium into a football complex with an office and dormitory.
“We will also improve the dressing rooms and overall facility with an aim of just making it a better venue for football.”
It is believed that the through the upgrading exercise, the rubberized section of the stadium will be taken out to make way for the increase in capacity which in effect will turn the Rizal Memorial Stadium into a real football stadium.
Araneta also said that the move will also allow the PFF to save money for maintenance as keeping an artificial pitch on shape will only cost PHP 200,000 (USD ) annually, 60% less than maintaining the grass.
