PSC brings sports closer to athletes

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is bringing sports closer to young athletes by putting up training centers in various regions nationwide.

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio said he is determined to put up more training centers around the country following the marching order given to him by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to make sports accessible to everyone.

So far, the government has three main training hubs: The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, the Philsports Complex in Pasig City and the Teachers Camp in Baguio City.

But based on Gregorio’s blueprint, there should be training centers in Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Clark in Pampanga, Tayabas City in Quezon Province, Ormoc City in Leyte, Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, and urbanized areas in Mindanao like Bukidnon, Zamboanga City, and General Santos City.

He said building training centers in these areas will make coaching, facilities and equipment accessible to young athletes without leaving the comforts of their provinces that would result in a wider, more robust talent pool.

“We will be pushing for the establishment of regional training centers so that athletes can practice in their respective regions and for aspiring athletes to get exposed to quality training while they are still young,” said Gregorio, who is making huge strides since taking the PSC leadership from Richard “Dickie” Bachmann in July.

“It should be better than Rizal. We will get there.”

There’s a pressing need for regional training centers.

In fact, some members of the national team are taking the cudgels in sharing their wealth of experience to young athletes in various provinces. Hidilyn Diaz, for instance, has her own training center in Zamboanga and Rizal Province while Nesthy Petecio is looking to open her boxing gym in Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur.

Gregorio said building regional training centers is not an overnight process but he will work hard together with various stakeholders like the senators, congressmen, national sports association executives and the Philippine Olympic Committee to make it happen.

“I'm just on my 43rd day but we will make sure we get there,” Gregorio said.

“We’ll make sure that it will happen.”