Summit to chart new direction for RP sports

MANILA, Philippines - Everybody’s optimistic on this one.

From Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico Puentevella to Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ritchie Garcia, the country’s top sports officials are hoping that this year’s sports summit will produce concrete, positive results.

It’s been eight years since the country’s sports leaders staged a summit, under then POC president Cristy Ramos Jalasco, with the hope of coming with a long-range program for the development of Philippine sports.

Unfortunately, most, if not all, the plans and programs taken up during that 1992 summit in Baguio died a natural death.

“This time we are more confident,” said Puentevella. “Since we have a new administration and a very unified PSC and POC alliance, we shall embark on a new direction and goals.”

Puentevella said the POC and the PSC, enjoying a brand-new working relationship under the Aquino administration, has laid out the groundwork for the summit during Thursday’s organizational meeting at Philsports.

Top officials from the POC, including its president, Jose Cojuangco, the PSC and the different national sports associations were present as the blueprint for the summit was discussed.

Puentevella said they will coordinate with the different government departments and agencies in education, local government, health and defense in trying to make sure the programs will succeed.

“The elite performance will be strengthened, sports schools for identified potentials will be established all over the country, the Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa will be enhanced jointly, a sports academy for coaches will be established,” he said.

“To succeed, committees were formed, the godfather system through private sector will be revived for priority sports. Proper legislation for funding will be pursued with Pagcor through Congress.”

The general summit will take place after the Asian Games in November.

Garcia was already with the PSC when the last summit was held.

“It was during the time of FVR (former President Fidel Ramos). But it didn’t really go anywhere. This time, let’s be serious about this. Let’s work together,” he said.

Also on top of the agenda are the proposed amendments to Republic Act 6847, the law that created the PSC in 1990, as well as the creation of a new training center for the national athletes in Pampanga.

“There’ve been sports summits before. I just hope this one will be successful. With the new relationship between the POC and the PSC maybe we can accomplish a lot,” said Garcia.

“It’s a major, major thing but we need to do it.”

Abac Cordero, Philippine Star