CCSC almost prepared for Lions-Azkals match

The Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) is spending about P100,000 for the renovation of the shower and locker rooms for the Nov. 15 international friendly match between the Philippine Azkals and the Singapore Lions.

CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros said the amount they will be spending for the renovation is not compensated by what they will earn from the rental of the CCSC football field for the match. But they do not mind this.

“As well as promoting the CCSC, this match, being the city’s first international football game, will also promote Cebu City and that is what is important,” Ballesteros said.

He added they are not balking at spending for the renovation because this is their contribution to the Cebu football community, who will be given the opportunity to finally see an international football match in their own backyard.

According to Ballesteros, they will also be able to use the shower and locker rooms after the said game so they do not mind spending for it.

Last month, Philippine Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss visited CCSC to inspect the football field and the shower and locker rooms. He said what is important is that there will be a lot of showers and that the place is clean.

As of yesterday, 12 new shower heads were being installed in the shower room for the Azkals while its tiles were also being worked on to give it a cleaner appearance.

The shower room for the visiting Singapore Lions will also be equipped with 12 new shower heads as well as athletic lockers.

To be used as the locker room for the visiting team is the gymnastics room, which is still being worked on. Ballesteros said the Cebu Football Association, aside from handling the rehabilitation of the football field, will be installing a temporary wall and aircondition unit for the said room.

SACRIFICES

The CCSC manager said a lot of sacrifices have been made to accommodate the upcoming match.

He said they had to turn down many groups who wanted to use the football field because they need to preserve the pitch for the match.

One of the events affected is the annual Cebu City Olympics, which will kick off this weekend.

The CCSC is supposed to be the venue for the athletics and football events but Ballesteros said only discuss throw and javelin will be allowed to be played at the field. Football will be held at the University of San Carlos field.

“The City Olympics is very important because this will be our selection for the Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CVIRAA) meet but we have to give way to the international football match,” Ballesteros said.