Bachmann vows better facilities

The Philippine Sports Commission assured national athletes that it will continue to upgrade training facilities as chairperson Richard "Dickie" Bachmannn continued with his visitations of various national sports associations just weeks into his appointment.

Over the weekend, Bachmann met with officials and athletes from boxing, Muay and athletics, who are all based in Baguio City.

"I can say that there are a lot of improvements to be done. We have a lot of work to do, but I know we will be able to accomplish it slowly but surely," said Bachmann when he gave an update to the PSC workforce during the agency's flag raising ceremony Monday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

The national boxing team led by Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, Asian Games silver medalist Rogen Ladon, and South East Asian Games medalist Irish Magno had the chance to discuss their training and competition plans with Bachmann when he stayed to watch them train.

"We are all happy that he came to visit us here in Baguio. It encourages us to keep working harder so he will see the hard work we put in everyday," Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam said.

The athletes are revving up for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in May and the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in September.

Bachmann also dropped by to see the training of Hanoi SEA Games medalists Islay Erika Bomogo (gold), Rudzma Abubar (bronze) and Manila SEA Games medalist Joida Gagnao of athletics.

Before going to Baguio, Bachmann likewise visited the camps of the windsurfers in Anilao, Batangas, the gymnastics team in Intramuros as well as squash, soft tennis, table-tennis, water polo and para-athletes at the RMSC and Philsports in Pasig.