UFL and Megaworld Ink Deal for McKinley Field

by Mikhail de Guzman on April 23, 2012

In due time, the United Football League will finally have a place that they can call home.

The country’s premier football league completed a deal with real estate company Megaworld to construct an artificial pitch that will be based at McKinley Hill in Taguig City.

This is part of the billion peso deal between Megaworld and the UFL, giving the latter priority in the usage of the field for the next four years.

Plans for the pitch was targeted to be completed by next year, however Megaworld decided to move it forward it’s initial schedule from 2013 to October 2012 in time for the new season of the UFL.

Dubbed as The McKinley Field, the pitch is expected to follow the International Football Federation (FIFA) regulation dimensions of a 60×97 meter turf and a grandstand that will also be built and be equipped with a media center, adequate locker rooms, and proper lighting.

Football Alliance director Dong Longa noted that this deal will be the solution to the league’s problem of the lack of playing fields that leads to disruption of several matches. Currently, the league uses the University of Makati for their first division fixtures while the Turf at BGC and Nomads Sports Club are for the second division fixtures.

“The more fields will allow the FA (Football Alliance) to consider more tournaments like the women’s UFL and youth tournaments since existing UFL clubs are already having youth programs,” said Longa.

This deal between the two parties are just the start however as Megaworld is open on the possibility of more pitches in the future that will be placed around Manila and some neighboring provinces.

Real Estate sales lift Andrew Tan-led holding firm’s 2011 income

MANILA, Philippines – Alliance Global Group Inc., the holding firm of billionaire Andrew Tan, said its earnings last year surged 68%, owing mainly to strong real estate sales.

In a statement posted on the Philippine Stock Exchange website, Alliance Global said its net income attributable to owners amounted to P11.6 billion in 2011, against only P6.9 billion in 2010.

The company’s revenues likewise rose 49% to P66.1 billion from P44.5 billion in 2010.

It said growth was driven by real estate arm Megaworld Corp., which accounted for 40% of revenues.

Megaworld reported P28.6 billion total revenues in 2011, up 39% year-on-year, thanks to strong residential sales and leasing income.

Alliance Global’s other businesses also grew in line with targets, it said.

Alliance Global owns food and beverage firm Emperador Distillers, local fast food chain McDonald’s, and gaming and tourism unit Travellers International Hotel Group. – Rappler.com