PSC to stage big meets next year

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan -- With the fourth PNYG-Batang Pinoy at the Puerto Princesa Sports Complex here a few days away from completion, the Philippine Sports Commission has started laying out plans for an ambitious sports program next year.

PSC chairman Eric Buhain said the sports agency has lined up multi-sports meets starting from the ongoing Batang Pinoy and culminating in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games at the end of the year.

"One thing is for sure, 2003 is going to be a busy year for the PSC because of a series of national sports events," Buhain told The STAR yesterday.

On top of the agency’s list is the revival of the Philippine National Games, which will be preceded by the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Friendship Games spanning two months from early September to late October spread in four key venues.

"This is just part of the PSC’s long-term sports program with a goal of winning an Olympic gold medal," he added.

Reports have it that Iloilo has an inside track in being named as host of the Visayas Games, Dagupan, Pangasinan for Luzon and Cebu City for the National Games.

Mati, Davao Oriental has already been selected to host the Mindanao Games, the PSC’s sports for peace project conceptualized by commissioner William Ramirez. In funding the PNG, Buhain said the PSC would need P60 million from the Office of the President through the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) to fund the National Games. – Joey Villar