The Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) has high hopes for Mindanao athletes after the Bukidnon Sports and Culture Complex was named as a regional training hub last Friday.
PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said improving the facilities in Mindanao would boost the country’s chances in international competitions.
“I realized that the goldmine of the athletes of our country is here. Not just the last two Olympics, how many Mindanao athletes gave us Olympic medals? Nesthy (Petecio), Eumir (Marcial), Carlo Paalam and Hidilyn Diaz.”
“I realize that if the support of the government here in Mindanao increases, we will receive more medals because it’s a beautiful place, sincere people, and they know what they want. They are passionate.”
Gregorio said they plan to consistently upgrade the sports complex in the future to ensure the athletes there will train at their best.
“I am very happy to open this facility because it is the right thing to do for Philippine sports and it all starts here in Bukidnon,” Gregorio said.
“What I see is the upgrading of the equipment. I hope we can help them in the near future.”
Even the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo agrees, is on the same page as the PSC.
“We also plan this to be a training center for all levels not just for elite but also for recreational athletes with a Sports Boxing for All program,” Manalo said.
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam is currently in Bukidnon preparing for next year’s events.
While he won’t be able to join the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand starting 9 December, Paalam will be focusing on the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, which serves as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.