PSC launches PSI programs

The Philippine Sports Commission yesterday launched the Philippine Sports Institute and Sports Stakeholders programs at the Philsports Arena with hopes of institutionalizing the country’s development projects in pursuit of sporting excellence.

PSC chair and pioneering PSI president Butch Ramirez led the event’s launch also aimed at strengthening the country’s grassroots development sports programs and at the same time professionalizing sports by handing out not just coaches’ certificates but masters and doctorate degrees as well.

“It’s an honor to become the first president of the PSI,” said Ramirez in the event attended by more than 400 coaches, sports officials and sports educators from all over the country.

“It will be a big factor for grassroots sports while the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee will spend most of their time handling our Olympic training program,” Ramirez said.

Sen. Gringo Honasan along with PSC commissioners Eric Loretizo, Fr. Vic Uy and Akiko Thomson and former PSC chair Aparicio Mequi were also present at the launching of the event.

Telecommunication mogul and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan has agreed to serve as PSI’s founding chairman with all the PSC commissioners as members of the board.

The PSI also named the National Sports Library, equipped with computers and latest sports books, after Pangilinan, a noted sports patron who’s into basketball, badminton and boxing.

“MVP said yes,” said Ramirez referring to Pangilinan, who heads the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and chairs the boxing association.

“The PSI is a product of a PSC board resolution. For the PSI to move without so much interference in the future, we will have to have people independent from the PSC,” said Ramirez.

“With him (Pangilinan) around, it will show that the government and private sectors can collaborate in sports. It’s a good model,” he said.

Mequi, who served as PSC chair from 1992-1993 when he pushed for mass-based sports, lauded the project.

“This is a good opportunity for our Filipino coaches to get academic masters degree, not just coaches certificates,” said Mequi, now the president of Foundation U.