PSC bares 15 priority sports

The Philippine Sports Commission yesterday identified the 15 sports likely to be given priority in terms of funding and support as the country begins its buildup for the 2002 Asian Games in Pusan, Korea.

These are athletics, archery, billiards, boxing, bowling, fencing, golf, gymnastics, judo, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, karatedo, lawn tennis and wushu.

PSC chairman Carlos Tuason said the 15 national sports associations (NSAs), if approved, will receive more support from government in terms of international exposures and better training facilities.

"Congress had recommended that these 15 events get priority in terms of government support not because of their performance in Kuala Lumpur but also in international meets in the past decade," said Tuason.

According to Tuason, the criteria the PSC used in determining the NSAs were the total number of medals at stake in their sport and the historical value they contribute to RP’s cause in internatinal events like the SEAG, Asian Games and the Olympics. — Joey Villar