A program of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) through commissioner Leon Montemayor, the three-day sports seminar was part of the agency’s continuing effort to reach out to the local sports leaders in the provinces and create a strong foundation in grassroots development.
"We give priority and importance to the training of local coaches and upgrade the level of education of our local sports leaders. We in the PSC believe that better-trained coaches produce better-trained athletes," said the Davao-based sports official.
Athletics, swimming and gymnastics, and sports management were given priority since Mindanao, particularly the Saranggani Province, has produced world-class talents.
Montemayor, commissioner-in-charge of Mindanao and chairman of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines-East Asian Growth Area) sports council, has expressed his appreciation to Saranggani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez for holding the TOP-START in the province.
"Under my leadership, the province intends to invest in sports development to raise the competitive spirit and excellence of our youth and veered them away from drugs," said Dominguez.
Former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado, the seminar‚s guest speaker, inspired the participants with her thoughts as she encouraging the sports leaders to think positive and increased the competitive level.
PSC executive assistant and project director Manuelito ‘Noli‚ Tacay led the seminars trainers along with resources speakers Renato Unso, the undisputed SEA Games record-holder in hurdles; former swimming champion Richard Luna and multi-titled gymnast Rico Ramirez.
At the close of the seminar, the coaches organized their respective coaches organizations from swimming, athletics, gymnastics and sports managers among sports leaders, SK chairmen, sports coordinators and DepEd-PES supervisors and principals.