Officials break ground for national football center

CARMONA, Cavite—The first phase in the development of a national football center was unveiled yesterday with the International Football Federation (Fifa) officially turning over the artificial turf to the Philippine Football Federation at San Lazaro Leisure Park here.

Fifa council member Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, who is also president of the PFF, turned over the Fifa-funded project to PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes in a ceremony attended by several Asian Football Confederation and Asean Football Federation officials.

The 2-hectare lot where the field sits was provided by the Manila Jockey Club Inc.

“This is a great moment for those who love football,” said Araneta. “Our dream is to have a national football center, which our national team players can call home. We thank Fifa for funding and the MJC for their magnificent generosity in making the site available for us.”