Metro Manila, Philippines — A university athletic group and a lighting and technology products provider have joined hands to build a sporting facility in Pasig City.
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and Akari Lighting & Technology Corp. will build a state-of-the-art \”Home of the UAAP\” along Amang Rodriguez Ave., according to a UAAP statement.
The signing of a memorandum of agreement for the project took place at the Atencio-Libunao Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman on Tuesday, Aug. 20, marking a new era for UAAP and varsity sports.
The project, which spans 1.8 hectares, aims to provide a central venue for UAAP events with a seating capacity of 6,000.
The UAAP said construction will begin soon with a targeted completion timeline of three years.
The UAAP said its board of trustees and managing directors recognized the need for a dedicated facility to support the league’s demands and aspirations.
The leadership appointed UAAP Season 85 president Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM of Adamson University as chairperson of the negotiating panel for the \”Home of the UAAP.\”
UAAP Season 87 Chairman and University of the Philippines President Angelo Jimenez expressed his gratitude for the collaboration.
\”We are incredibly thankful to Akari for this generous partnership. After years of dreaming and planning, the UAAP finally has a place to call home. This facility will not only host competitions but will also stand as a testament to the spirit of unity and excellence that the UAAP represents,\” he said.
\”At Akari, we believe in building legacies that go beyond lighting solutions. This Home of the UAAP project is our way of supporting grassroots sports development, where young student-athletes can grow, excel, and shine on the national stage. I am honored that Akari is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of varsity sports in the Philippines,\” Akari Chief Executive Officer Christopher Tiu was quoted as saying.
The Home of the UAAP is set to become the premier venue for amateur sports in the Philippines, further providing a dedicated space for future generations of student-athletes to shine.
Reflecting on the significance of this milestone, Fr. Suan said, \” Today’s event is the result of a process that began with the UAAP’s need and desire for a home, and Akari’s vision of leaving a lasting legacy in the sports community. The concept evolved from Akari’s desire to collaborate with the UAAP through merchandise licensing, which we launched last season, and has now blossomed into this groundbreaking partnership. Today, we celebrate the culmination of these efforts here at UP.\”
