PSC to open lounge for athletes

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is inaugurating tomorrow the Athletes and Coaches Lounge — the first of its kind in the country — inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

PSC chairman Eric Buhain will lead the ceremonies, which will include a Holy Mass and a consultative assembly to be attended by PSC officials, national athletes and coaches, and national sports association officials.

"The PSC feels proud about the establishment of the Athletes and Coaches Lounge, which is a first in the country," said Buhain. "In fact, I sort of envy the athletes since we did not have this sort of facility during our time."

Expected to attend the inauguration are Rep. Monico Puentevella, chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports and a former commissioner of the PSC, PAGCOR director Luis Carlos, and Centrum president Eduardo Mendoza. Centrum has donated P500,000 for the lounge.

Besides the PSC and Centrum, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Air Philippines, WG&A Shipping, Philtranco, San Miguel Beer, and X-ile Sound System have thrown their support behind the lounge.

"We are now realizing the impact of the private sector’s support to sports. We appreciate the support given by our partners from the private sector who see the importance of sports in our society," Buhain said.

Bishop Teodoro Buhain, an uncle of the PSC chairman, will officiate the 3 p.m. Holy Mass.

The lounge is located on the second floor of the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center Building. The air-conditioned facility has a floor area of 150 square meters and will house computer units with Internet access, a top-of-the-line audio and video system, and other recreational facilities such as dart boards and a state-of-the-art billiards table donated by former world bowling ace Bong Coo.

With Internet access, national athletes and coaches can get updates on the latest training programs, sports equipment and facilities, and other information from world-class athletes and coaches globally including leading international sports academies and firms.