Concerns on the availability of tickets for the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Qualifiers – Play-off match between the Philippine Azkals and Mongolia on February 9 at the Panaad Sports Stadium in Bacolod City were addressed yesterday during the joint committee meeting of the Provincial Committee on Sports and Tourism at the Capitol.

Presided by Board Member Patrick Lacson of the third district, the meeting tackled the seating capacity of the Panaad Stadium, the number of free tickets to be distributed and how the public can get hold of them.

As requested by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Lacson said 10,000 tickets will be given for free to the public on a first come, first served basis.

He said the free tickets will be given on Feb. 9, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Panaad Stadium. Four stations will be set up at the entrance of the Stadium to distribute the tickets. The game will start at 7 p.m.

With Panaad’s seating capacity estimated at 18,000, Lacson said the Philippine Football Federation has reserved 4,000 seats in the Grandstand, sold online through the PFF website at P300 each.

As posted on the website, the PFF shall only accept ticket reservations for Grandstand area through e-mail.

Interested parties are advised to send e-mails to ticketing@the-pff.com with the subject line Re: Grandstand Ticket Reservation with complete personal details. All ticket reservations will also be on a first come, first served basis.

Lacson said government officials and other VIPs will be seated in the Grandstand, with the left and right wing of the area, estimated to sit 4,000 more people, reserved for additional guests in anticipation of the attendance of President Benigno III during the game.

He also encouraged those who will watch the game to wear white shirts as the Azkals will be in their white uniform during the game.

Although he has not seen Mongolia play, based on the performance of the RP Azkals in the AFF Suzuki Cup last year, Board Member Lacson said the Philippine team has a very good chance of winning.

Present during the joint committee meeting at the Capitol yesterday were Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez, Tourism Committee chairman Nehemias Dela Cruz, Board Members Miller Serondo, Jose Benito Alonso, Mae Javellana, Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico Puentevella, Provincial Sports Coordinator Angel Verdeflor, and Panaad Park officer-in-charge Ian De Ramos.

Meanwhile, PFF – Local Organizing Committee chairman Red Avelino confirmed that the Azkals will be arriving tomorrow in Bacolod to start their training and camp.

The team will be paying a courtesy call to the Office of the Governor and will sit down with the media in a press conference.*NAB

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