PREPARING for the 2019 Asian Games should be the priority of national athletes in the coming months.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Ramirez” said this as the agency gets ready to meet with the national sports association.
At the same time, the PSC is set to go into more activities that will boost the country’s grassroots programs.
The series of meetings will be held to discuss policies, make reviews, assessments and evaluations of athletes that will be selected for the Asiad, which is slated from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2, 2019.
The preparations for the Asiad, along with that of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be delegated to two new faces in the PSC, Atty. Sanna Privaldo and Raul Dominic Badilla.
Privaldo, a former varsity football athlete for Letran, has replaced Carlo Abarquez as executive director, while Badilla takes on role of chief of staff, following the resignation of Ronnel Abrenica.
“She (Privaldo) will be playing an important role in the stability of the PSC going to the Asiad, the 2019 hosting of the SEA Games, and the 2020 Olympics, and beyond,” said Ramirez.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Olympic Committee welcomes the desires and clamors of severals national sports association in seeking change from within the association.
POC vice president and spokesman Joey Romasanta said this after learning that a group of NSA heads got together Tuesday afternoon at a Makati venue to discuss the current situation of Philippine sports.
“I see no problem in this. This is a welcome development,” said Romasanta, who added that he has yet to see the manifesto that the 18 presidents and secretaries-generals of concerned NSAs.
The sports represented were gymnastics, boxing, rugby, handball, netball, shooting, speak takraw, swimming, judo, karatedo, triathlon, dragon boat/canoe-kayak, table tennis, squash, taekwando, soft tennis, rowing and arnis.
“The NSAs are eager and participative now. This is something that the POC should look into,” said Romasanta. Peter Atencio
Included in the agenda is the need to amend the by-laws of the POC;
They also felt that there is a need to reactivate and make operational all POC Standing Commissions and to open the same to NSA officials.
They felt that advisers should not be allowed to actively participate in all POC activities.
The group is also seeking a review of all conflicts involving NSAs.
They also urged the Philippine Sports Commission to put up sports facilities, decent living quarters for athletes and medical care for athletes.
