Cebu to host AFC tourney

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta confirmed yesterday afternoon that Cebu will be hosting Group B of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup from May 2 to 12 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

The Philippines, which will be represented by Global FC, will go up against Dordoi Bishkek of Krygyzstan, Yeedzin of Bhutan and KRL of Pakistan.

With this development, the Cebu Football Association (CFA) will have only six weeks to rehabilitate the CCSC pitch in time for the international matches.

CFA director Rodney Orale, who spearheaded the rehabilitation of the field last November for the friendly match between the Philippine Azkals and the Singapore Lions, will once again lead the rehabilitation works.

He said that even before the announcement of Cebu’s possible hosting of the AFC event last Sunday, they have already started the rehabilitation last week.

Six weeks may be longer than the time they were provided the last time. But Orale said the job will be tougher and bigger this time as they have to patch up bigger areas with carabao grass. According to Orale, a total of 120 square meters of the entire field will need to be planted with new grass. Last time, Orale said they only needed to rehabilitate one square meter near the goals.

If last time they used 12 sacks of carabao grass, Orale said they may need more than double of that amount this time.

Orale said he is readying a proposal to the CFA board for the sourcing of the carabao grass as they need to start planting now. He said a longer time is needed for the grass to grow because of the summer heat.

“Last time we had the rains so it was easier. Now it’s summer, it may take longer for the grass to grow,” Orale said.

He said that to cover the whole area, they need one week to plant the grass. Also, they need to plant the grass closer together because they now have big bald patches to cover.

Orale said that he is hoping that like last time, the CCSC management will continue to provide them with the water supply as well as set up the fences that separates the pitch from the oval.

Starting this week until the event, the CCSC pitch will no longer be used. Two of the events affected is the 2nd BRO National Festival, which will now be held at the Aboitiz Sports Field from April 22 to 28, and the KTEC Trading Tournament, whose original date was April 26 to 28 at the Aboitiz Sports Field.