THE support of companies and businessmen through their sports foundations will be tapped by the Philippine Sports Commission as it implements its programs in the coming years under the leadership of chairman Patrick Gregorio.
Gregorio said this on Tuesday during the Sports Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Solaire in Paranaque City.
“We will support them in their effort. We are meeting and discussing other programs,” said Gregorio after meeting with officials involved with the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation and the Atletang Ayala program.
So far, officials of the MVP Sports Foundation said they have already invested P2 billion, from bringing coaches and sports science learnings to providing facilities and the travel activities of athletes before the country started winning gold medals in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.
The MVPSF, though, is still set to expand its commitment and assistance in the coming international events and activities that Filipino athletes are involved.
“We’ve opened doors for young Filipinos, so they can stand on the world stage. We’ve improved public health, strengthened tourism and provided Philippine sports with clear goals,” said MVSF executive Ricky Vargas.
Meanwhile, Atletang Ayala is already helping 19 athletes in their preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics. At the same time, it is also evaluating its assistance program to find out if they can help more.
Atletang Ayala top exec Jasmine Alkhaldi said the foundation hopes to find more athletes to support when the Southeast Asian Games is held in December.
Talks with MVPSF and Ayala Corporation officials came after Gregorio presented the PSC’s vision and future plans, in relation to the development of regional training centers, the rehabilitation of key sports facilities, and its new “Grassroots to Gold” sports development program.
Aside from the MVPSF and Ayala Corporation, the PSC is also getting commitments from sportsman Ricky Razon, Converge ICT and San Miguel Corp.
