RP-China pact to benefit athletes

Philippine sports stand to gain enormous benefits from a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Tuason and his Chinese counterpart in the presence of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President Jiang Zemin of China in Beijing Tuesday.

The training of athletes for the next Southeast Asian Games and next year’s Asian Games as well as technical assistance for the venues that will be used in the country’s hosting of the 2005 SEA Games are expected to be get a big boost out of the implementation of the MOU.

Tuason, who was part of the presidential entourage in GMA’s just-concluded two-day state visit to China, said he would make sure that the opportunities offered by China are maximized.

"It’s a super deal for us, so to speak, since the range of opportunities is very, very wide," Tuason said, citing China’s hosting of the 2008 Olympics as a big plus.

The buildup for the Olympics should start as early as this year for China and the Philippines must be on guard for possible tie-ups not just in athletes’ training but in construction and infrastructure as well.

China is expected to put a special focus on infrastructure with the many stadiums it will have to build for the Olympics. As part of the agreement the Philippines can seek technical support in its preparation for the 2005 SEA Games.

The enthusiasm displayed by GMA on sports, Tuason said, was crucial in convincing the Chinese community that her government is serious in giving sports the proper attention.

"She congratulated China for winning the bidding for the 2008 Olympics and she was able to impress upon the Chinese that her administration is after a sound sports program and youth development," Tuason added.

"President Arroyo’s guidance and support, to which the PSC is very grateful, have given us all the strength to continue searching for ways on how to uplift the status of Philippine sports. Despite the many problems, I still believe that sooner or later we will be able to climb up the rankings in the region again," he said.

Also, Tuason vowed that the new partnership forged with the Sports Ministry of China will not only benefit the so called elite athletes but the overall grassroots program of the PSC which remains a priority.

"I will definitely push for the benefits to be shared by as many athletes as possible," he said. He also did not discount the possibility of recruiting Chinese coaches to further improve the skills of athletes in sports like gymnastics, diving, wushu, swimming and track and field.