Ayala backs track and field bets
Finally, athletics has a new home.
About 40 athletes from track and field witnessed the unveiling of a new facility yesterday as the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and Ayala Corporation formally opened Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
With a world-class track oval that features nine lanes with balsam surfaces, the Vermosa Sports Hub is now the official training facility of ‘elite’ athletes from the track and field national team.
“We were never been before treated in this manner,” said PATAFA president and former Philip- pine Sports Commission chairman Philip Juico during a press briefing at Vermosa Sports Hub.
“With the private sector coming in, they provided world-class facility, which can provide all of their (athletes) basic needs. We are thankful to Ayala Corporation,” added Juico.
John Philip Orbeta of Ayala Corporation said that this is just a way to show their support in sports, saying: “We believe in our national athletes’ potential to inspire, drive and instill nationalism in sports.”
A total of 14 of more than 50 athletes from track and field are already using the facility to train for various international competitions like the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games in Indonesia.
One of them is long jump specialist Marestella Torres-Sunang, who has been training since March in preparation for her fourth stint in the Asian Games.
“Even before they formally opened this facility, I’m already training here,” said Sunang, who used to train at the old track oval of the Philippine Sports Complex or ULTRA in Pasig City.
“The nice thing about this training facility is it’s closer to where I live – five to 10 minutes I’m here,” she added.
“Not like when I train there (ULTRA), it would take me about two hours just to get there. Of course it affects my training. But now, I’m focused, everything is ok here, so we’re all thankful,” Sunang said.