For now, the artificial turf pitch inside the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite will have to do.
Built there two years ago, the pitch will serve as the only practice venue for professional football.
The Philippine Football League may even use the pitch when action eventually resumes as well.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said this after the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed the resumption of practices for basketball and football last week.
“Umpisa na ang practices in one to two weeks. But first, we have to test the players and officials,” said Araneta.
The start of practices will signal the eventual resumption of games in the PFL.
The schedule of the PFL was disrupted after lockdowns were imposed last March to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The field in Carmona has been the place of many football activities ever since lighting towers were installed there.
This was done with help from the Asian Football Confederation and with the cooperation of the Manila Jockey Club two years ago.
Araneta said this will have to do since the facilities inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila won’t be available at the moment.
This is because many areas inside the RMSC are being used as medical and quarantine facilities for coronavirus-positive patients. Peter Atencio
