PSC to establish reg'l training centers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission is opening more windows for promising athletes and potential members of the national team for future international competitions.

Chairman Richie Garcia yesterday said the PSC is looking at the creation of regional training centers in Bacolod, Zamboanga City, Davao del Norte, Sta. Cruz in Laguna, Lingayen and Ilocos Norte.

This way, new faces that will shine in national competitions like the Palarong Pambansa, Philippine National Games or Batang Pinoy will have a program to follow without leaving home.

“We will launch these training centers in two months,” said Garcia.

“From now on, athletes discovered in events like the PNG and the National Opens of the different NSAs (national sports associations) will stay there,” the PSC chairman added.

These athletes won’t have to leave home and travel to Manila just to earn their slots to the national pool. They will also be given the chance to compete in international competitions.

“If they beat national athletes in a qualifying even, then they will be the ones sent to international competitions. This presents an equal opportunity for everybody.

“They don’t have to go to Manila anymore. They can train near their homes. The PSC will take care of the allowances of the coaches and the athletes while the LGUs (local government units) will take care of the venues and their quarters,” Garcia said.

The plan will be presented to the Philippine Olympic Committee when it holds its general assembly tomorrow Jose Cojuangco, the POC president, has a separate program in mind, and it concerns the elite athletes that will be asked to stay and train in a separate training center.