MANILA — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Board on Tuesday said it is going all–in on its
grassroots sports development programs, while seeking full involvement in its support to national
athletes competing in major international events.
“It is our goal to touch every single province in the country, and provide a comprehensive program
for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, gracing the Philippine
Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Tuesday.
Bachmann said the agency will stage three regional competitions for the Philippine National Games
in the fourth quarter of 2023, with the national finals set in the first quarter of 2024. Meanwhile,
Batang Pinoy will stage its regional legs in the third quarter of 2024 and national championships in
2025.
“We have to make sure our grassroots sports programs go in the right way. Our goal is to eliminate
the gap of grassroots to the elite, and that is through connecting them to the national sports
associations,” said the sports agency chief.
“It is building a career path for all these athletes. If we did this in Cebu, if we can replicate it all over
the Philippines, we cannot only have one Hidilyn [Diaz], one [Elreen] Ando, we can have probably
fifteen of them with the right program,” said Commissioner Edward Hayco, who was joined by
fellow Commissioners Bong Coo and Fritz Gaston.
The PSC officials also shared their experiences and evaluation of Team Philippines’ recent stint at
the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, highlighting the necessary adjustments the PSC needs to make.
“I don’t want the PSC to just be the funding arm to our elite level athletes. We really have to get
involved in working with the Philippine Olympic Committee, see common ground and understand
each sport and its NSAs. We should take full responsibility in caring for our athletes,” said
Bachmann.
The chairman said the PSC will form a task–force with the POC in building a comprehensive criteria
in support of our national athletes competing in the 19th Asian Games in China in September this
year. (abs–cbn sports)
CAPTION: (L–R) Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Fritz Gaston,
Commissioner Bong Coo, Chairman Richard Bachmann and Commissioner Edward Hayco grace
the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, May 30 at Rizal Memorial
Sports Complex, Manila. PSC/Handout.
