PINAS CUP 2018 IN CLARK. Football players from the Philippines and other countries take part during the opening of the Pinas Cup 2018 in Clark Parade Grounds in Pampanga on Saturday (October 27, 2018). (Photo Courtesy of the Clark Development Corporation)
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga -- Sports enthusiasts and tourists will soon have a greater experience here as the Clark Parade Grounds inside this Freeport will be developed into a world class multi- sports area.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Vivencio Dizon made this announcement during the opening ceremony of the Pinas Cup 2018 here on Saturday.
The four-day tournament brings together some 115 teams, including participants from Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Indonesia, Thailand, and among others.
“For next year, you are going to find something very different when you play here because for next year, all of this will be transformed into a world-class football pitch for all of you. So, as if you are playing in Europe and in other countries once you play here next year,” Dizon told the participants of the country’s biggest football tournament.
Dizon also said that this Freeport serves as a major area for various events on sports tourism and eco-tourism in the country, as he cited the support of the government for different sports activities like the Pinas Cup.
“If you will come here on weekend, you will notice that there are events for sports tourism and eco-tourism. All these events are happening in Clark on a regular basis and this is the third year already of Pinas Cup and it will get bigger and bigger and the government is going to support it all the way. Like what I’ve said, next year this Clark Parade Grounds will become more beautiful because we are going to convert this into a world-class football and multi-sports area like in other countries,” Dizon said.
Meanwhile, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president and CEO Noel F. Manankil said that about half of the parade grounds will be rehabilitated into a more suitable area for football games.
Aside from football, Manankil said that other sports activities like the Guinness World Records’ attempt of Trinx Bikes for longest line of bicycle parade will also be held here.
“Aside from other activities here, a recording setting feat will also be hosted here. This is a biking event that hopes to bid in the Guinness World Record and we also have a Sunset Marathon. So, generally the type of activities that are usually being held here are biking, marathon and football,” he said.
Manila Soccer Academy (MSA) director and head organizer of the event Monty Roxas, meanwhile, cited the suitability of this Freeport as major location for the event.
“Ang home turf namin ngayon talagang dito na sa Clark, ang maganda kasi dito, makikita mo na ang lawak ng field ng football area. So dito lang talaga tayo pwedeng makahanap ng ganito kagandang field at ang environment ng Clark ay napakaganda at napaka conducive para sa Pinas Cup kaya talagang dito na kami. Mas maigi kesa pumunta kami kung saan saan kasi kailangan quality ang pitch, quality ang venue, at quality ang mga hotels,” (Our home turf is now really here in Clark. The best thing here, you can see the extent of the field of football area. So, it is only here where we can find this great field and the environment in Clark is very good and very conducive for the Pinas Cup. That is why are really here. It is better here rather than to go anywhere because the quality of pitch, quality of the venue, and quality of the hotels are here,” Roxas said. (PNA)
