NEGOTIATIONS are still in the early stage but if plans push through, the City of Naga could host an Azkals friendly this year, which is a Suzuki Cup year. Dan Palami visited Mayor Kristin Chiong the other day for initial discussions of the plan and I think they’re off to a good start.
Naga City doesn’t have any experience in hosting friendlies but the Cebu Football Association can step in and help. And I think the southern city isn’t averse to spending for an upgrade of its facilities. What they need is to know which upgrade to consider.
Of course, one of the first concerns Dan asked me was if Naga City can gather a crowd for an Azkal game. Initially, I told him that I couldn’t really answer because of Minglanilla but I think Naga can have a sizeable crowd. Barili, Alcoy and Moalboal--which have active football communities--are all relatively near Naga and their spectators wouldn’t have to pass through the dreaded traffic gridlock.
Also, I was told that the football finals in the previous Cviraa had an ample crowd, so I guess, Naga can get a crowd.
The benefits to Naga would be enormous. It could be a sports tourism boom with the town getting promoted in the home of whichever foe the Azkals will face. During the first Fifa home game here in Singapore, the players returned on their own to Cebu for a vacation.
The City of Naga, which has a nice sports hub at their boardwalk, will also get ample publicity considering players have massive social media following.
So I hope negotiations will end with Naga hosting its first Fifa game because it could be the first of many. Aside from the Azkals, maybe the southern city can host the Malditas, our women’s national team who will be playing in the Asian Cup.
It could also be a perfect venue, too, for training camps of our youth teams.
But then again, there’s Minglanilla traffic. Yes, these players are from Manila and are used to Manila traffic. But what we can’t afford is the unpredictable Mingla traffic, which could be light on some days and carmaggedon on others.
I sure hope the latest Capitol meeting can somehow make the unpredictable Mingla traffic quite manageable.