AN initial batch of more than a hundred athletes are going to the Zambales Sports Complex in Iba, Zambales to undergo specialized training.
These are members of the national team for pencak silat, muay thai and dragon boat, and they getting ready for coming stint in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
And they are expected to be there by April.
The Philippine Olympic Committee has plans to turn the sports complex into national training center.
The Governor of Zambales, Amor Deles, has offering the use of the facilities to the POC and the NSAs.
POC president Jose “Peping” Cojiuangco said in a radio interview that the three NSAs which have initially shown interest to train their athletes will soon set up camp and bring equipment there once initial inspections are finished.
“We are looking into the condition of the facilities. They will soon start camping there for specialized training,” said Cojuangco.
A medical support group headed by Dr. Martin Camara and Dr. Rey Canlas will assist the athletes in their preparations.
Cojuangco is also seeking the Philippine Sports Commission’s help enhancing efforts to come up with an alternate venue to train national athletes.
Cojuangco said the POC has been doing its part to look for other places to bring athletes for training, now that there ongoing plans to sell the ageing Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.