Rasul supports PSC task force

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission yesterday gained strong support from former Sen. Santanina Rasul as it launched a massive talent identity program in Mindanao to discover swimming talents for international competitions.

The PSC Aquatic Task Force, headed by former national swimmers, received the pledge Monday during a courtesy call on Sen. Rasul.

PSC chairman Harry Angping formed the task force composed of former swimmers Dr. Ramon Ricardo Roque Jr. as chief coordinator, and lawyer Luz Arzaga-Mendoza and Susan Papa as assistant coordinators, to address the need for a long-range grassroots development program that will seek out homegrown young talents for the national pool.

“Many great swimmers in the past like Jairulla Jaitulla came from the Mindanao. We believe there are many young talents we can discover through this development program,” said Roque, a former Asian Gamer.

Papa, a contemporary of Jaitulla, said Rasul bewailed the lack of a swimming program in the last 30 years in Mindanao, saying the sports centers constructed during this period have either deteriorated or their use has not been maximized because of the lack of coaches.

“Muslims had been a source of gold medals for the country in swimming and other sports. What is needed is a grassroots development blueprint to get these young boys and girls back to the swimming pool,” said Papa.

PASA president Mark Joseph had questioned the creation of a PSC task force, which, he said, is a function of the association.