Azkals’ need P4 M for Mongolia
THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is likely to spend at least P4 million for the “Azkals” participation in the second leg of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup on March 15 at Ulan Bator in Mongolia.
PFF President Mariano Araneta said the amount could still go up because of several factors that include the choices of the team’s training venues.
“We will have an exact figure next week of the expenses but I’m sure it would most likely cost around P4 million,” said Araneta via text message.
Araneta, who is currently attending an Asian Football Federation meeting in Malaysia, said that the team’s transportation expenses alone could cost $45,000 not including the other expenses in the contingent’s weeklong stay in Mongolia.
“If 30 people would go, we would need more than $20,000 more because the plane fare is already worth $45,000 since each person cost $1,500,” said Araneta.
Though the PFF will receive $20,000 assistance from the AFC for the Azkals’ Mongolia game, it won’t suffice to cover all the expenses, Araneta explained.
The PFF is planning to send the Azkals in a training camp somewhere near Mongolia before March 15 to acclimatize the player to the country’s cold weather.
“The hosts will only shoulder our stay for three days, so if we’re going to train three to four days more, we also have to pay for our hotel and food,” said Araneta. The PFF president is currently seeking additional financial assistance from the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. and the Philippine Sports Commission.
Josef T. Ramos
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