PFF formally inaugurates national training center
GEARED towards sustaining the development of football in the country, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) over the weekend held the turnover ceremonies of the FIFA Football Turf Field at the National Training Center in San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
With PFF officials and Manila Jockey Club, Inc. (MJCI) officials present, the doors to the training center were opened three years since breaking ground.
The National Training Center is part of the two- hectare lot provided by the MJCI to the PFF which also includes the yet- to- be- built PFF House of Football.“It is the culmination of what began three years ago when we broke ground for this field. Through this FIFA Football Turf Field, our national team players can finally call this place their home,” said FIFA Council Member and PFF President Mariano V. Araneta during the turnover ceremonies.
“We would like to thank the Manila Jockey Club for providing the PFF the lot inside the San Lazaro Leisure Park. Their efforts in ensuring that Philippine football will reach even greater heights are well appreciated,” added the PFF official, who has overseen the growth of football in the country in the last half decade.
During the turnover ceremonies of the turf field, which got a two-star field rating from FIFA, a number of activities were held, namely a grassroots festival and two exhibition matches.
The women’s exhibition match was contested between the University of the Philippines Women’s Football Team and the UAAP champion De La Salle University Women’s Football Team. While the Men’s Exhibition Match pitted the National Collegiate Athletic Association champion San Beda College against University Athletic Association of the Philippines champ Ateneo de Manila University. —