AFTER losing its own sports complex in Marikina City by virtue of a presidential decree that stripped Rizal of its 12 revenue generating towns, the province named after the national hero would soon be donning its own sports complex anew, this time in the bustling town of Taytay – and a world class at that.
In a Facebook post, Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula boasted of the world-class Taytay Sports Complex, which he claimed as nearing its completion after being sidelined for more than a year in view of the escalated risk amid the global pandemic.
The construction of the P721-million facility on a 13-hectare government-owned parcel in Barangay Muzon however resumed and is about to be completed as scheduled, says Gacula, even as he expressed optimism of hosting future sporting events, which include the Palarong Pambansa.
Interestingly, the 13-hectare Taytay Sports Complex used to be a trash dump that Gacula himself ordered closed more than a decade ago. Describing the Taytay Sport Complex as a dream come true, Gacula recounts that for the longest time, the province of Rizal as well as the municipality of Taytay must practice for athletic meets in other venues such as the Marikina Sports Center.
“Sa dami po ng ating mga sports facilities, nandiyan po ang Ynares Center, ang Ynares Sports Complex, iyong ating mga private sports center dito, baka po puwede na tayo maghost ng Palarong Pambansa balang araw,” added Gacula during the inspection of the facility.
“Hinihintay na lang natin ang pre-fabricated roofing na manggagaling pa sa abroad para sa napakalaking grandstand nito upang di mainitan at maulanan ang mga manonood ng mga sports events at mga concerts na gaganapin dito.”
He further noted that soon after, the local government would be wrapping up the final touches of the Olympic standard oval track separate fields for football and baseball (softball) at the center of the oval track. Rizal Governor Rebecca Ynares recounted that Rizal Province was initially the premier province of the country before the Martial Law era wherein most of its rich cities and municipalities were separated to form the National Capital Region, including Marikina City, which housed the province’s former sports complex.
Governor Ynares said that despite the lack of a sports complex of its own, the province has remained dominant in the sports scene, noting that Rizal has emerged as Southern Tagalog CALABARZON Athletic Association Meet champion for eight consecutive years.
“Wala pang sports complex ‘yan ha. Dito lang kami kung saan saan sa tabi nagprapractice lalo na kapag nayari na ang sports complex na ito,” Gacula quipped.
