Bacolod sports complex will be ready — Puentevella

Bacolod City is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the venues for the four sports disciplines it is hosting will be in their best shape for this month’s SEA Games.

While the 11-nation event will be in full swing from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5, Bacolod will hold its opening ceremony a couple of days earlier since action in men’s football begins Nov. 23.

Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella is on top of Bacolod’s preparations and has assured everyone that they’re right on track as far as the SEA Games is concerned.

The sports to be played in the City of Smiles are boxing at La Salle Coliseum, indoor volleyball at West Negros College, beach volley at University of St.La Salle grounds, weightlifting at Bacolod Convention Center and men’s football at Panaad and Paglaum stadiums.

Women’s football will be held at the Marikina City Sports Complex.

Puentevella, the former Philippine Sports Commission board member, allayed fears that Paglaum Stadium is far from finished. He said Philippine Football Federation president Johnny Romualdez had given it the thumbs-up sign.

"According to Mr. Romualdez it’s beautiful. Like Athens, we will finish on time and right on schedule," said Puentevella, referring to the 2004 Athens Olympics where work in some of the venues was finished just a week before the Games.

"By kick-off time, we shall have the two best football stadiums in the country. Perfect pitch," he said, adding that both stadiums had to go through and meet high international standards.

"The only thing I cannot guarantee is the weather," added Puentevella.

Puentevella added that President Arroyo had been invited to grace the opening ceremony in Bacolod City, one of the satellite venues for the Games, the others being Cebu and Subic.

Sports to be played in Cebu are mountain bike, dancesport, judo, karatedo, pencak silat and sepak takraw while those to be staged in Subic are archery, canoe kayak, sailing and triathlon.