NEGOTIATIONS to put the ageing Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on sale will take at least year as many legal questions need to be clarified first, said Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.
Ramirez explained that the ownership of the complex, which was originally built 82 years ago in 1934, needs to be clarified.
The facility was destroyed during World War II and was later reconstructed in 1953 and then renovated in 2011.
The PSC chief said the office of the President is on top of the situation concerning the facility, which is managed by the government sports agency and owned by the City of Manila.
“Negotiations will take long. The office of the President wants to make sure that all legal matters are answered,” said Ramirez.
Before former PSC Chief Richie Garcia turned over the facility to Ramirez, the RMSC underwent a series of makeovers.
The City of Manila had no income from RMSC for year, leaving the city with no funds to modernize facilities.
There are plans to sell the RMSC and build a national training center elsewhere, with the Clark Development Corporation offering facilities inside the Clark Green City.
The proposed site will be known as the Philippine Olympic Village.
This new sports complex is seen to be a larger and more modern sports complex, complete with training equipment for national athletes as well as facilities to host large sports meets.
This is expected to happen when funding for the relocation is complete.