International football in Cebu

Cebu may not have been the first, but that’s a thing of the past now. Did you know that Bacolod and Iloilo hosted international football games before Cebu did? We can still remember drooling with envy how our Visayas neighbors had the chance to do this, knowing that Cebu could’ve done a better job if only it had a group determined to rehabilitate the only football field fit for a big game: the pitch at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC). And so aside from settling for watching international football on TV, we also had to deal with another city outside of Manila beating us to hosting an international football game. Cebuano football fans had to make the trip to Bacolod and Iloilo just to watch the national team play. The common feedback? Why can’t we do this in Cebu when we’re so much better at this kind of things?

But I guess it’s never too late, is it? What was once a mere spectacle for us on TV is now a reality. After all those years of listening to all the talk about other cities hosting the national team’s games, Cebu has finally scored a big one, and to top it off, has done a great job doing it. (As a disclaimer, we were part of the team that helped made it happen.) When the AFC President’s Cup was offered to the Cebu Football Association (CFA), the group didn’t blink even if it would be a very tall order to get it done. We weren’t dealing with just one friendly game good for one night. This was group play of a tournament organized by Asia’s governing body for football, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This was about bringing in AFC officials and referees and four football clubs of around 25 players and officials each. All teams were the top commercial clubs in their respective nations. This meant three game days, with two games per day or a total of six games spread over a span of five days (May 8, 10 and 12). More importantly, this meant playing in the CCSC field which was beaten up by the Sinulog activities and had not been rehabbed since “Face Off,” the Azkals-Lions game last November. With all teams arriving on May 5, that meant a whole week of hosting, feeding, entertaining and running the show for a bunch of football fanatics who somehow ended up with a job that nobody wanted to take on a short notice. Whether or not they liked it, it was set and saying “no” was not an option.

When the AFC sent officials to make an ocular inspection of the CCSC field, hotels and practice fields, the CFA Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was in for a surprise. The LOC thought it would just be a routine walk through of a job. But they were wrong. The AFC was all business. Straight from the airport and skipping dinner, it was all work. It was like a random audit conducted on a salesman who wasn’t prepared. Out came the check list of crucial items that were a must and non-negotiables for any AFC-sanctioned football game/tournament. Comfort rooms, locker rooms, offices for officials, a doping room, medics/ambulances, hospitals, possible merchandising or advertising conflicts, team benches, stadium bleachers, media tribune, VIP tribune, presscon room, mixed zone, practice fields, and of course, the football field. For the field, it wasn’t only about the grass, but equally important how the stadium lights would literally light up the CCSC on game night. Unknown to many, the LOC’s grades on “audit night” weren’t too impressive. The only department that got high marks were the hotels/accommodations for players and officials. The rest? Let’s just say (with charity) that the grade was between an NI and an S. It was obviously a tough night for the LOC which also had to settle for dinner at 12 midnight. The bright side is that there was a clear blue print of what had to be done in such a short time to meet the AFC’s standards. To cut a long story short, the formal approval came (too close for comfort), but the show must go on. Before the LOC knew it, all four teams had arrived and were raring to play. And before all football fans knew it, the CCSC was converted into an instant international-level venue. The much improved grass held up. The required locker rooms and office rooms were loaned by the CCSC to the LOC (with some reservations). Tickets were sold and the games were played. Dordoi FC of Kyrgyzstan topped the group with a 2-0-1 record or 7 points, KRL FC of Pakistan had the same record but was second due to an inferior goal difference. Global FC, the debuting team from the Philippines, settled for third with a 1-0-2 slate (3 points) while Yeedzin FC of Bhutan was fourth (0-3-0). In the end, the winner was Cebu Football, Philippine Football.

Yes, it can be done. The hardworking LOC proved that with determination and a strong commitment for excellence, nothing was impossible. AFC Match Commissioner Salman Namshan of Saudi Arabia said that the CFA’s hosting was at the level of the Champions’ League. He admired the professionalism with which all tasks were managed and congratulated all before he left. Ironically, we’re still from having the what it truly takes to host international football. We already have all other essential items such as the hotels, transportation, security, etc. How I wish we had a tailor fit stadium and more training pitches.

 International football? With Cebuano pride, Cebu Football proved that international football is now in. >>> You can reach me at [email protected].