PhilSports Complex
The Philippine Institute of Sports Complex (also known as the PhilSports Complex) is a national sports complex of the Philippines. It is located in Meralco Avenue in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is where the offices of the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and some national sports associations are located.
PhilSports Complex facilities are purposely built to cater the Filipino athletes’ needs from training facilities to living quarters. By virtue of Republic Act 6847, which created the Philippines Sports Commission, was to develop and maintain a fully equipped sports facility. Due to its proximity to business districts of Makati and Ortigas, the arena is also used in concerts and conventions.
History
20th century
1970s
The complex is actually the sports field of a defunct school named Saint Martin's Integrated School (Elementary and High School). The school was transferred by First Lady Imelda Marcos during the 1970s and the school was reorganized as the University of Life, a vocational school.
1980–1999
In 1985, the Philippine Basketball Association became its main tenants after nine years at the Araneta Coliseum. The venue attracted standing-room only crowds during their stay. The PBA stayed for seven years until they moved to the newly built Cuneta Astrodome in 1993, citing the venue's lack of maintenance.
After Marcos was removed, the University of Life was closed. However, the sports facility was transferred to the Philippine Sports Commission in preparation for the 1991 Southeast Asian Games. Several names were applied at the complex. These were The ULTRA, PSC-National Academy of Sports (PSC-NAS) and PSC Sports Complex. Due to confusion to the public especially in concerts, the commission decided to adopt a permanent name: PhilSports.
21st century
2000–2004
The sports complex reached its maximum audience space when the Asian pop group F4 and Taiwanese local star Barbie Xu staged a concert in the facility in 2003.
2005
The complex was the venue of the badminton events during the 2005 Southeast Asian Games from November 27, 2005 to December 5, 2005.
PhilSports Stampede (2006)
On February 4, 2006, the PhilSports Complex became the site of a deadly stampede that killed 74 people and injured hundreds. Wowowee, the now-defunct early afternoon game show of television network ABS-CBN, was scheduled to hold its first anniversary show at the complex. Attracted by the large prizes given out during the show, crowds of people, mostly from the lower classes of society, waited for days just outside the stadium. As the opening of the gates neared a few hours before the show, the crowd surged forward crushing those at the front of the queue underfoot.
The cause of the stampede is still being determined pending investigation.
Facilities
- PhilSports Arena (seating capacity: 10,000)
- PhilSports Football and Athletics Stadium (seating capacity: 20,000)
- PhilSports Swimming Center
Events held by PhilSports Arena
Sporting Events
- PBA Games (1975-2005)
- 1991 Southeast Asian Games, Manila
- 2005 Southeast Asian Games Manila (Badminton Only)
- FIVA Volleyball Tournament (2002)
- FIBA Basketball Finals (1989)
Entertainment Events
- Pops Fernandez Live Concert (1982-2002)
- Martin Nievera Live Concert (1982-1992)
- Gary V. Live Concert (1983-1995)
- Zsa Zsa Padilla Live Concert (1982-1993)
- Metallica Live in Manila (April 17, 1993)
- F4 Asian Tour Live! (2003)
- Mike Francis Live Concert (1989)
- Citipointe Live in Manila Praise & Worship Concert (2011)
- Wowowee Anniversary Special (cancelled in 2006 due to a stampede)
See also
External links
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