There are plans to demolish the velodrome inside the Amoranto Sports Complex and put up a new one.
Officials of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines believe that the velodrome is now outdated and has gone below standard.
“I’m going to write a position paper on this so this matter can be taken seriously,” said PhilCycling secretary-general Billy Sumagui.
“Sayang naman, we could be winning 12 medals in track cycling,” added Sumagui.
Sumagui is one of the two new legal counsels of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Members of the national cycling team, according to Sumagui are no longer using the velodrome for training. They are instead training in Naic, Cavite, with the help of a sponsor.
Standard Insurance top executive Judes Echauz is currently helping the national team prepare for the 30th Southeast Asian Games through the use of his property in Cavite.
Back in 2017, the Philippine Sports Commission made moves to take control of the facilities inside the Amoranto Sports Complex.
The agency has been taking care of renovations and repair of facilities that are under the care of the PSC since 2016.
Funding according to Sumagui, will have to be raised through other means, since the Quezon City government will not be able to come up with the money meant for the construction of a new velodrome.
Over the last three years, PSC Chairman William Ramirez has been discussing plans with Philippine Olympic Committee president and PhilCycling chief Abraham Tolentino on the renovation of Amoranto Sports Complex.
The last time the velodrome was seriously used for competition was back in the 2013 when the POC-PSC Philippine National Games were held.
The Complex, which was inaugurated in 1966 by then President Ferdinand Marcos, was used back in 2005 as a cycling venue for the SEA Games.
Two years ago, national cyclists were still quartered inside the sports complex, but they rarely got a chance to practice in the steeply banked oval tracks.
At that time, there were reports that a religious group was allowed to hold prayer rallies thrice a week in the middle of the field, bringing in scaffoldings to build a stage and a number of tents.
Large wires which powered a sound system were laid on the track, making the velodrome off-limits for practice sessions.
It was reported that despite the prohibition, trucks were still allowed cross the track to deliver materials and equipment.
As of today, it is still unclear if such incidents are still happening and needs to be checked by the PSC.
