The Philippine Sports Commission will not stop looking for ways to serve Filipino athletes better and prepare them for international competitions, including the Hangzhou Asian Games in September.
“There is room for improvement,” said PSC chairperson Richard Bachmann in yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Bachmann talked about his experience in the Cambodia SEA Games, and how he witnessed the Filipino athletes compete and deliver 58 gold, 85 silver and 117 bronze medals.
He stressed the importance of providing the needs of the important needs during the competition itself like providing separate rooms in the hotel where the physical therapists can attend to the athletes.
“We need ultrasound and laser machines. I didn’t find any. We should bring our own machines. We will make improvements for the coming Asian Games,” he said.
“The key is for the commissioner in charge (of certain sports) to understand the sport and how to improve the sport. We’re not just a funding agency. The PSC will step up.”
Joining Bachmann in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation were PSC commissioners Bong Coo, Fritz Gaston and Edward Hayco.
‘The key is for the commissioner in charge (of certain sports) to understand the sport and how to improve the sport.’
All three commissioners reiterated the need to upgrade the training facilities for members of the national pool, put up a nationwide grassroots program and find ways to strengthen the selection process for international competitions.
“We need to upgrade our facilities so that out athletes will not leave for other countries to train. All we need is exposure, especially higher level,” said Coo, a legendary bowler.
The PSC also plans to consult with different NSAs (national sports associations) that were represented in Cambodia and find out where and how some of them failed to deliver.
“There should be an assessment,” Coo said.
Gaston, a former Philippine Basketball Association player like Bachmann, reiterated Coo’s statement.
“We are athletes, we know their needs. We need to provide better and more competitive facilities. But we also have to be critical in terms of selection,” he said.
Hayco, for his part, pushed for grassroots development and hoped that his success with the Cebu Sports Commission can be carried over nationwide.
