PSC chair charts course of Phl sports

MANILA, Philippines - Before the finest athletes who brought honors to the country in 2014, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia drew a clear picture of Philippine sports for the years to come.

Garcia, who became chief of the government sports agency in 2010, is bound to step down from office on June 30, 2016.

But the way he spoke at the annual Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards last night at 1Esplanade, it’s like he was just getting started.

“It is indeed timely that I am here with all of you to share our visions, plans and programs,” said Garcia, reminding everybody that the PSC is in its 25th year.

Garcia said with the help of the Philippine Olympic Committee under Jose Cojuangco, the PSC has drawn up its strategy aimed at keeping sports above ground.

He mentioned the setting up of a new national training center that is more conducive for the national athletes now staying in three different centers.

“This year we will facilitate the finalization of the planned establishment and construction of a national training center in Clark Field in Pampanga,” he said.

The new center, which may close over P3 billion, will be equipped with the needed facilities around a healthy environment and distant from any distraction.

The distractions found in the metropolis, he said, can cause “hindrances to focused training and preparation for our athletes for international competitions,” said Garcia.

“It is a given fact that the current training facility, the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, is already old. It is also not spared from the floods and is situated in one of the busiest streets in Manila,” he said.

Garcia said neighboring countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and even Myanmar have one.

“We want our athletes to feel important and valued. With the support of our legislators, we are optimistic we can finalize the plan this year,” Garcia added.

The former member of the national golf team said the PSC is also into the enshrinement of the second batch of the Hall of Famers and the continuous implementation of the sports-for-all grassroots program.

As 2014 Athlete of the Year Daniel Caluag and the other honorees and guests listened, the PSC chairman said the agency will continue with the conduct of the Philippine National Games.

The PSC, he added, will continue to develop the ideals of discipline, teamwork, camaraderie, unity, solidarity, competitiveness and fair play among Filipino athletes.

Women in sports, Garcia added, is also in the PSC blueprint as well.

“I have only the welfare of the athletes in mind. I may not get the support of all sectors in my endeavors but I know that in the future they will see and realize the worth of all these,” he said.

Garcia thanked his fellow sports officials, the national government, private sector and the media for making things happen.

From his younger days as PSC commissioner, Garcia went on to become the longest-serving PSC chairman, and he vowed that his remaining days in office will be just as important.

“I have no other goal but to uplift the state of our Filipino athletes. I know this is not an overnight task to accomplish,” he said in his speech.

“But with a collaborative effort, with the help of all of you, we can fully achieve this aim,” Garcia said.

Again, he honored the athletes who shone bright in 2014.

“You will now be among the roster of eminent champions of Philippine sports. But more so, for showing that the Philippines is still a formidable force in sports,” Garcia said.

And the star-studded evening went on.