Blatter, Fifa building artificial turf in Tacloban

The International Football Federation (Fifa) will soon build an artificial turf in storm-ravaged Tacloban City, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) announced yesterday.

No less than Fifa president Sepp Blatter will lead the groundbreaking rites on Dec. 1 in Barangay Abucay, Tacloban City, according to PFF president Nonong Araneta.

Blatter’s visit is actually one of the highlights of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Asian Football Confederation on Nov. 30 at Makati Shangri-La.

Araneta said the 105x68m turf is estimated to cost around $500,000 with funding coming from Fifa’s special grant   of $1million.

PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes said the federation is leasing the land from a land owner for one peso a year for 20 years. A regional training center for Leyte/Samar will also be built in the facility.

Araneta said Blatter actually broached the idea of building a facility in Tacloban after watching a documentary of a child playing football after the storm.

“We didn’t even have to send a report,” said Araneta. “He just asked us for a copy of the video that he said he’ll show to the Fifa executive committee and now here we are.”

Also in the itinerary is the inauguration of the AFC Village in Barangay Libertad, Palo, to families who were victims of the typhoon.