Pages pushes setting up of sports hub within South Road Properties

CEBU City sports commissioner John Pages is pushing for the establishment of a sports hub at the South Road Properties.

“I took it up with the other members of the commission, that we need to move forward with this plan,” Pages said.



The commission met last Thursday. Pages said it has been more than a year since the commission announced the plan but so far, it is not even close to being carried out.

“It is still hanging. Right now, everything boils down to the mayor’s approval,” Pages said.

Pages said he understands that City Hall needs to prioritize getting potential investors pick lots at the SRP. However, he said the city could at least designate a portion for the project so that construction can already start.

Short of venues

“We are badly short of venues,” Pages said. With the Cebu Business Park field now converted into a future site for a condominium, the city no longer has a football field.

“We could start with a football field at the SRP. It is the easiest and at the same time, it could be a venue for many other events,” said Pages.

Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said that while there were already initial talks, their attention is now directed toward the P45 million refurbishing of the Cebu City Sports Complex.

The budget, which could possibly come from Malacañang, will be presented to President Arroyo when she comes over next month.

Meanwhile, the mushrooming of various marathons in the city spurred the rescheduling of the Cebu City 21K marathon.

Pages said that they do not want events to overlap so that participation will be concentrated.

The marathon, which features races in the 21 km, 10 km and 5km, will be held on Oct. 14. Pages reiterated that this race is only a preview of a much bigger race they are planning that will coincide with next year’s Sinulog festivities.