The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is targeting to resume collaboration efforts with local government units and educational institutions for its grassroots sports development programs that were hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The collaboration efforts could lead to the resumption of the Philippine National Games, Batang Pinoy, and Children’s Games, according to PSC Chair Butch Ramirez.
PSC also targets to resume staging the indigenous games and the coaches’ education program in cities and provinces, which was previously held every quarter.
Grassroots programs have been instrumental in providing opportunities for aspiring national athletes, particularly in cities outside the National Capital Region and in the provinces.
Some members of the national team have been discovered through grassroots events held in coordination with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and host LGUs.
Ramirez added PSC hopes funding for the Elite Athletes Program will be sustained, as many Filipino athletes were inspired by the overall performance of the Philippine team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“2021 was the product of 2011 to 2021 financial support of more than 100 athletes to high level foreign training and competitions whose target is to get medals in the Tokyo Olympics. We have spent billions since 2016 and no wonder, we performed well in several elite tournaments,” Ramirez was quoted as saying. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 20, 2024
