MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Football Federation has announced there will be no charge for general admission tickets for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifying series between the Philippines and Mongolia at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
Aside from the 10,000 tickets, there will be 4,000 reserved tickets intended for VIPs, according to Araneta. Demand for tickets to watch the Azkals live has risen since the national team’s stunning performance in the AFF Suzuki Cup.
The PFF chief said they would make an announcement on how to secure the tickets soon.
He clarified that the PFF would not be involved in the selling of tickets as part of a package that would include roundtrip airfare to and from Bacolod and hotel accommodation there amid reports that travel agencies have offered a deal for the Challenge Cup.
Foreign aid continued to pour in to the PFF and Araneta vowed transparency in the task of ensuring sustainable development of the sport in the country.
Three Arab nations—Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain—were the latest to join Germany in pitching in to help the PFF in its programs with an annual financial assistance of $100,000 until 2014.
The Japan Football Association has also offered to help the country improve its grassroots program with technical help and a subsidy of $20,000.
Araneta was able to secure the foreign help during the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Doha, Qatar, last week. He said the money would be specifically allotted to national competitions.
Aside from the financial aid, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan have also offered to host the national team for free training camps.
Coinciding with Araneta’s visit to Qatar was Azkals team manager Dan Palami’s trip to Frankfurt, Germany, where he was also able to get an assistance package from the German Football Association (DFB).
“They have promised to help us with necessary things to make our team competitive,” said Araneta.
The PFF is planning to stage a men’s Under-23 tournament this year that will also serve as a try-out for the Southeast Asian Games.
“With more national tournaments, we will have a stronger pool for local players,” said Palami.
Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico Puentevella, who is also part of the PFF delegation in the AFC Congress, attributed the surge in support to the semifinal finish of the national team in the AFF Suzuki Cup last year.
The PFF also receives an annual aid of $250,000 from the International Football Federation (Fifa). Araneta said they were also set to receive $150,000 for their share of the gate receipts during the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup in Indonesia.
“Rest assured we will be transparent in our financial dealings,” said Araneta.
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