Thu | 11.28.2019 | 06:00 PM

Ninoy Aquino Stadium, the venue for weightlifting and taekwondo competitions, gets a brand new look.

Philsports Complex Multipurpose Arena is now a far-cry from its old gloomy look after being fitted with spanking new wood flooring, modern lighting and sound system and state-of-the-art seats.

Football matches get more exciting at the spruced up Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium.

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) stands mighty proud of its huge contribution to the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games as the much-awaited regional multi-sports spectacle formally gets off the ground at the sprawling Philippine Arena in Bulacan this Saturday (November 30, 2019).

With the opening of the biennial sports event, which attracted thousands of athletes from 11 nations, the major facilities that PAGCOR helped refurbish will play a crucial role in the country’s aim for the Games’ overall success.

Through the P842.5 million that PAGCOR donated to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) last June 26, 2019, key SEA Games venues like the Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC) and Ninoy Aquino Stadium (NAS) inside the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila and the Philsports Complex Multipurpose Arena (PCMA) in Pasig City were given a much-needed facelift in preparation for the Games.

The said amount is a separate and distinct fund on top of the state-run gaming firm’s mandated remittance to the sports agency, which averages P124.27 million per month.

RMC and NAS, which will host medal-rich indoor events such as gymnastics, weightlifting and taekwondo, were massively spruced up as they are now fully air-conditioned and have been installed with retractable gallery seats, LED lights, roof thermal insulation and new plumbing system. They now also boast of modern and comfortable locker rooms with shower cubicles.

Built in 1934, RMC was likewise restored as an Art Deco structure featuring streamline modern designs with rounded corners and double banded moldings, porthole windows, geometric decorative elements and subdued earth tone pastel color scheme. The original building was designed by Juan Arellano, one of the most prominent Filipino architects who propagated the Art Deco style in the country.

PCMA, formerly known as ULTRA, meanwhile, is now a far-cry from its old gloomy look as it was fitted with spanking new wood flooring, modern lighting and sound system and state-of-the-art seats. It will host the keenly-awaited volleyball matches of the 30th SEA Games.

By virtue of Republic Act no. 6847, PAGCOR, without fail, remits five percent of its revenues to the PSC to finance the country’s sports development programs.

Since the current management took over in 2016, PAGCOR has already remitted a total of P5.71 billion to the PSC.

Aside from the PSC share, PAGCOR also funds the Sports Benefits and Incentives Act, which provides monetary rewards to athletes and coaches who win in prestigious international sports competitions.

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