Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium
Encyclopedia
The Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium, simply known as the Rizal Memorial Stadium since it is the main stadium within the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
, is the national stadium
of the Philippines
. It served as the main stadium of the 1954 Asian Games
and the Southeast Asian Games
on three occasions. Prior to its renovation on 2011, the stadium was badly deteriorated and was unfit for international matches.
The stadium is also officially the home of the Philippines national football team
.
In early 2009, as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced plans to renovate the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, restoration of the football field and stadium was also planned. The restoration would include removing the track oval and transforming it to a modern football stadium. The PSC has vowed to raise money from the private sector and the government, totaling at least ₱50 million for the renovation, which they plan on doing sometime in the last quarter of 2009. In February 2010, it was announced that the PSC was still waiting for a private partner to co-finance the project, therefore the original schedule for the renovation was delayed.
The renovation of the stadium is one of many projects of the PSC to help struggling associations to be more competitive. Although the transformation of the Rizal Stadium into a football-specific stadium has drawn skeptics as there is a belief that it should lead to a movement to revive football in general, but won't and it doesn't do anything for the sport at grassroots level.
Despite the doubts, it was announced in February 2010 that the plans for renovation are set to start sometime in March 2010 with the participation of De La Salle University
. The project is expected to finish in six months. National athletes presently training at the track and field oval will be relocated at the PhilSports Complex
or at the PSC training center in Baguio.
After renovations in 2011 in preparation for a FIFA
World Cup Qualifying match, the stadium was found to be able to seat 12,873 in accordance with FIFA's seating specifications.
held in Manila and was one of only two cities in Asia they have ever played in. The combined attendance was 80,000 with the evening concert registering 50,000 paying audience and became The Beatles' second biggest concert ever.
celebrates its annual Foundation Day at Rizal Stadium every February 13.
Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, is national sports complex of the Philippines, located on Pablo Ocampo St. , Malate, Manila. It is named after the country's national hero, José Rizal....
, is the national stadium
National stadium
Many countries have a national football stadium, which typically serves as the primary or exclusive home for one or more of a country's national representative sports teams. The term is most often used in reference to an association football stadium. Usually, a national stadium will be in or very...
of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It served as the main stadium of the 1954 Asian Games
1954 Asian Games
The 1954 Asian Games was a mult-sport event celebrated in Manila, Philippines from May 1 to May 9, 1954. A total of 970 athletes from 19 Asian National Olympic Committees competed in 76 events from eight sports...
and the Southeast Asian Games
Southeast Asian Games
The Southeast Asian Games , is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia...
on three occasions. Prior to its renovation on 2011, the stadium was badly deteriorated and was unfit for international matches.
The stadium is also officially the home of the Philippines national football team
Philippines national football team
The Philippines national football team is the national football team of the Philippines and represents the country in international football. The team is controlled by the Philippine Football Federation , the governing body of football in the Philippines....
.
Renovation
Since the 1930's, it has hosted all major local football tournaments and some international matches. When a new tartan track was laid out at the oval for the country’s initial hosting of the 1981 Southeast Asian Games, the venue became a hub for athletics and the football field’s condition slowly deteriorated. It eventually became unsuitable for international matches which meant the Philippine national team would have to play their home games at an alternate venue.In early 2009, as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced plans to renovate the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, restoration of the football field and stadium was also planned. The restoration would include removing the track oval and transforming it to a modern football stadium. The PSC has vowed to raise money from the private sector and the government, totaling at least ₱50 million for the renovation, which they plan on doing sometime in the last quarter of 2009. In February 2010, it was announced that the PSC was still waiting for a private partner to co-finance the project, therefore the original schedule for the renovation was delayed.
The renovation of the stadium is one of many projects of the PSC to help struggling associations to be more competitive. Although the transformation of the Rizal Stadium into a football-specific stadium has drawn skeptics as there is a belief that it should lead to a movement to revive football in general, but won't and it doesn't do anything for the sport at grassroots level.
Despite the doubts, it was announced in February 2010 that the plans for renovation are set to start sometime in March 2010 with the participation of De La Salle University
De La Salle University
De La Salle University is a private Lasallian university in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1911 by De La Salle Brothers as the De La Salle College in Paco, Manila with Blimond Pierre serving as its first director...
. The project is expected to finish in six months. National athletes presently training at the track and field oval will be relocated at the PhilSports Complex
PhilSports Complex
The Philippine Institute of Sports Complex is a national sports complex of the Philippines. It is located in Meralco Avenue in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines...
or at the PSC training center in Baguio.
After renovations in 2011 in preparation for a FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
World Cup Qualifying match, the stadium was found to be able to seat 12,873 in accordance with FIFA's seating specifications.
Sports
The Rizal Memorial Stadium was the main venue for various football and athletics events during the:- 1954 Asian Games1954 Asian GamesThe 1954 Asian Games was a mult-sport event celebrated in Manila, Philippines from May 1 to May 9, 1954. A total of 970 athletes from 19 Asian National Olympic Committees competed in 76 events from eight sports...
- 1966 AFC Youth Championship1966 AFC Youth ChampionshipThe 1966 AFC Youth Championship was held in Manila, Philippines from 30 April to 15 May 1966.- Teams : Korea Republic- Group A :----------------- Group B :--------------------------------- Group C :...
- 1970 AFC Youth Championship
- 1981 Southeast Asian Games1981 Southeast Asian GamesThe 11th Southeast Asian Games were held in Manila, Philippines from December 6, 1981 to December 15, 1981. This was the first time that the Philippines hosted the Games since its first participation in 1977. The event was officially opened by President Ferdinand Marcos and the cauldron was lit by...
- 1991 Southeast Asian Games1991 Southeast Asian GamesThe 16th Southeast Asian Games were held in Manila, the Philippines from 24 November - 3 December 1991. This was the second time that the country hosted the biennial regional sporting event. It was officially opened by President Corazon Aquino at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila through a...
- 2005 Southeast Asian Games2005 Southeast Asian GamesThe 23rd Southeast Asian Games were held in the Philippines from November 27 to December 5 in 2005. The games were participated by the eleven nations of Southeast Asia. This was the first time that the opening and closing ceremonies were held in a large open field, despite the fact that Manila...
(Athletics only)
Concerts
On 4 July 1966, the Rizal Memorial Stadium hosted two soldout concerts The BeatlesThe Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
held in Manila and was one of only two cities in Asia they have ever played in. The combined attendance was 80,000 with the evening concert registering 50,000 paying audience and became The Beatles' second biggest concert ever.
Others
Our Lady of Fatima UniversityOur Lady of Fatima University
Our Lady of Fatima University, formerly known as Our Lady of Fatima College, and also formerly known as Fatima Medical Science Foundation, Incorporated is a private university in the Philippines. It has three main campuses, one based in Valenzuela City, the other in Quezon City, and the third in...
celebrates its annual Foundation Day at Rizal Stadium every February 13.
See also
- Rizal Memorial Sports ComplexRizal Memorial Sports ComplexThe Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, is national sports complex of the Philippines, located on Pablo Ocampo St. , Malate, Manila. It is named after the country's national hero, José Rizal....
- Rizal Memorial Baseball StadiumRizal Memorial Baseball StadiumThe Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium is a baseball stadium located inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines. It has a seating capacity of 10,000. It served as the main baseball stadium of the 1954 Asian Games and also hosted the baseball of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Babe...
- Rizal Memorial ColiseumRizal Memorial ColiseumThe Rizal Memorial Coliseum is one of two indoor sporting arenas located inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines, the other being the Ninoy Aquino Stadium...
External links
- Rizal Memorial Stadium photo at WorldStadiums.com