Mayor Rama approves use of sports complex

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has given the Cebu City Sports Commission the green light to turn the San Nicolas Sports Complex into the Cebu City Sports Institute.

The CCSC, led by its chairman Edward Hayco, earlier pushed for the establishment of a sports institute so that even if their term will come to an end, the athletes and coaches will not be left in the cold anymore and their training will be sustained under a permanent venue.

With mayor Rama’s approval, the Cebu City Sports Commission is deemed on lobbying a P5-million budget for San Nicolas sports complex’s renovation.

The renovation, The Freeman learned, will include re-polishing of the wood flooring of the court that will soon be converted into a training ground for boxing and other martial arts, improvement of its drainage system, comfort rooms and lighting.

Other sporting events primarily considered in the sports institute are table tennis, badminton and chess.

Hayco said, they hope to accommodate as many sports possible as they promised that “no sport shall be left behind.”

Not to displace basketball as well, CCSC is also looking into constructing an open cemented court outside the gym as well as another multi-purpose court that could be used for sepak takraw, volleyball and other ball games within the 1-hectare property owned by the city.

 The proposed renovation is most likely to start early next year yet.

And while the program of work and estimates is still being finalized, the CCSC is calling all generous hearted individuals and sportsmen to donate sports equipment that are not anymore being used in their homes to the city.

The CCSC also announced yesterday that aside from San Nicolas, its free boxing program will now have two venues with the addition of Duljo Fatima beginning tomorrow afternoon.

For other fitness buffs, CCSC is also set to launch its wellness program at the Asiatown IT Park in Apas on October 2. (THE FREEMAN)