Old Stadium will be the host site for the upcoming World Cup qualifying-round football matches, although negotiations continue on who will pay for its upgrade.
The estimated $100,000 cost to paint the 70-year-old stadium, install a security fence around it, replant the field and fix the locker rooms and toilets is supposed to be covered by a grant from the World Football Federation, plus contributions from local businesses and TV5.
The station has sought broadcasting rights for the three local matches, which begin April 15 when Cambodia hosts the Maldive Islands.
TV5 is considering the deal. “At the last tournament, four years ago, we had a bad experience when all the [advertising] banners we put on display were removed,” said TV5 Managing Director Srirat Noochniyom. “We hope to get better cooperation this time.
“What we are doing is for the sake of Cambodian sports. Of course we will find some sponsors, but I’m afraid they will not cover the cost of renovating the stadium,” he said.
TV5 plans to televise home matches with Indonesia (April 29) and China (May 6). The station also has asked for rights to televise away matches against the Maldives (April 1), Indonesia (April 22) and China (May 20).
Cambodia Football Federation President Khek Ravy said Tuesday that if TV5 wants rights to overseas games, it must share advertising revenues with the federation and GH Media Sports, a marketing company that signed an agreement with the federation back in 1997.
Old Stadium can hold about 5,000 spectators. It is being pressed into service because Olympic Stadium was closed last year for major redevelopment and renovation.
