UAAP, Akari form partnership to build league's future home

(L-R) UAAP executive director Atty. Rene Saguisag, UP Board of Managing Director Atty. Carlo Vistan, Akari legal counsel Atty. Jude Ocampo, Akari CEO Christopher Tiu, UAAP legal counsel Atty. Des Ukol, UAAP Season 87 Chairman Atty. Jijil Jimenez, Adamson BMD Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM

A box has been ticked for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The league has formed a groundbreaking partnership with Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation, with the goal of establishing a state-of-the-art facility that can be called as the "Home of the UAAP." 

To highlight this momentous event, the UAAP and Akari held a memorandum of agreement signing at the Atencio-Libunao Hall inside the University of the Philippines Diliman campus on Tuesday morning.

Representing the league in the signing is this season's chairman and UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez, with CEO Christopher Tiu serving as Akari's counterpart. Officials from both groups were also present to grace the event.

In highlighting the partnership, Tiu shares, "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."

He adds, "The partnership is driven by a mutual desire for both parties to collaborate and provide UAAP fans with a regular venue where games can be enjoyed and sportsmanship can be fostered."

From the league's perspective, Jimenez says, "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."

Executive Director Atty. Rene Saguisag Jr. adds, "The Home of the UAAP is not just for the league itself; it is for the student-athletes who represent the heart and soul of the UAAP. This is their home—a place where they can compete, grow, and thrive."

To be built inside the Bridgetowne property in Pasig and spanning 1.8 hectares, the six thousand-seat facility will serve as a central venue for most of the league's activities, with the vision of being the premier venue for its student-athletes to develop and excel.

In Tiu's words, "Our goal is to create a world-class sports venue that addresses the needs of the UAAP member schools and their athletes for all sports developmental requirements."

The need for a dedicated hub was something the UAAP acknowledged, given their growing demands as well as future aspirations.

In order to fulfill this objective, the league's Board of Trustees and the Board of Managing Directors assigned Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM, Adamson's BoMD representative and the league's president back in Season 85 to handle this responsibility.

He reflects on this moment, "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."

It will also offer additional amenities that would help enhance the overall experience for not just the UAAP community, but also for the general public visiting Bridgetowne for various reasons, a potential hub for community engagement.

Tiu also notes, "The home of the UAAP will be more than a sports structure; it will be a lifestyle complex that combines sports development activities with family and student recreation features."

Negotiations with Akari began in earnest back in March last year, with a concept design revealed a couple of months later from ASYA Design Partner headed by principal architect Albert Yu.

Construction is set to commence soon, with the venue set to be ready by the 90th season of the league.