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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PSC hastens Rizal Memorial upgrade

PSC hastens Rizal Memorial upgrade

Published Jan 22, 2026 05:52 pm

At A Glance

  • True to its promise of transforming the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex into a world-class sporting facility, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is working tirelessly to meet global standards especially when the country plays host to the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open which unfurls next week.
PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio gives the media a tour of the renovated tennis center inside the Rizal Memorial Complex in Malate, Manila. (PSC)
PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio gives the media a tour of the renovated tennis center inside the Rizal Memorial Complex in Malate, Manila. (PSC)
By CHRISTAN SALVAÑA
Intern
True to its promise of transforming the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex into a world-class sporting facility, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is working tirelessly to meet global standards especially when the country plays host to the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open which unfurls next week.
With the tennis center enjoying an upgrade of an additional 2,000 seats, 150 solar lamps usable for the evening matches, and the blue paint that gives the courts and bleachers a fresher look, PSC chairman patrick Gregorio made sure to also give attention to the construction of the National Taekwondo Center and the renovation of the football and baseball fields.
The taekwondo building, he said, will also house the wushu and judo teams.
“After WTA, we can open it up to the public, para lahat ng gustong maglaro, kumain, gustong mag-training, mai-enjoy nila ang Rizal. Kasi ang Rizal, hindi lang naman para sa atleta ‘yan, para sa taumbayan ‘yan,” said Gregorio as he intends to improve foot traffic toward the age-old facility.
“Very memorable po itong lugar na ito, dapat lang buhayin natin,” he added. “Very exciting ang mga plans namin dito. Tignan niyo po ‘to, in the next three days ‘di niyo rin makikilala ‘to."
The highly anticipated WTA tournament is set to take place from Jan. 24 to 31.
Just last Wednesday night, Jan. 21, Alex Eala confirmed her participation after arriving from Australia where she had an early exit in both the singles and doubles competition.
The organizers announced that semis and final tickets were already sold out due to the high demand of the Filipino fans raring to watch Eala live.
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