Rizal Memorial Sports Complex

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
nickname = The National Sports Complex of the Philippines


location = Manila City, Philippines
built = 1934
opened = 1934
renovated = 1953, 1981, 1991, 2005
seating_capacity =

The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the national sports complex of the Philippines, is considered as the oldest sports complex in Asia. It is located on Pablo Ocampo (formerly Vito Cruz) St., Malate, Manila. Formerly the Manila Carnival Grounds, the RMSC was built in 1934 for the Far Eastern Championship Games, a precursor to the Asian Games. It is named after the country's national hero, Dr. José Rizal. It was reconstructed in 1953 after it was destroyed during World War II and was used in the Asian Games. Until 2005, no major renovations were done in the complex. The complex was criticized by local and international sports officials for its age and limited space. The National Stadium, the main centerpiece of the sports complex, has a maximum seating capacity of only 30,000. The complex also houses the administrative office of the "Philippine Sports Commission," and quarters for the Philippine national athletes.

A bigger and more modern sports complex, which will serve as the prime showcase of Philippine sports, is being planned to be constructed either in the Pasay Reclamation Area or in Clark Field, Pampanga and is yet to become realized.

Major Sporting Events at the Stadium

*1934 Far Eastern Championship Games
*1954 Asian Games
*1981 Southeast Asian Games
*1991 Southeast Asian Games
*2005 Southeast Asian Games
*2005 ASEAN ParaGames
*2006 Asian Womens Volleyball Club Championships

Facilities at the RMSC

* Ninoy Aquino Stadium (Basketball)
* PSC Badminton Hall
* Rizal Memorial Swimming Center
* Rizal Memorial Coliseum (Basketball)
* Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium
* Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium "(National Stadium)" (Athletics and Football)
* Rizal Memorial Tennis Center
* Philippine Taekwondo Association Dojang and Main Office
* PSC Bowling Hall
* Gymnastics Hall
* Philippine Center for Sports Medicine
* Boxing Gym
* Pencak Silat Gym

Trivia

*Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig once hit home runs here in 1934. Gehrig was the first player to ever hit a home run in the baseball stadium, while Ruth was the second.
* The Beatles held their only concert in the Philippines at the Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium on July 4, 1966.

ee also

*PhilSports Complex

External links

* [http://www.philsports.net Philippine Sports Commission]
* [http://www.psc.gov.ph/psc_contck_locate.htm Map of the RMSC]
* [http://www.txtmania.com/trivia/sportstrivia.php txtmania on Babe Ruth]