Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William I. Ramirez is moved by the support of the members of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development after a site visit at the ongoing rehabilitation of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila on Wednesday morning.
Among the Congressmen who took time to visit the construction sites were Chairperson Eric Martinez, joined by Representative Faustino Michael Carlos T. Dy III (5th District of Isabela), Rep. Strike Revilla (2nd District of Cavite), Hon. John Rey Tiangco (Lone District of Navotas City) and Hon. Jose Teves Jr. from the Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP) Party-list.
“It’s a good sign that we really value this historical landmark of Philippine sports known as the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. We welcome our Congressmen, this is your home…” said Chairman Ramirez during a press briefing held at the RMSC press conference room.
The Rizal Memorial Coliseum which will be the venue for gymnastics competition, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium where the weightlifting and taekwondo tournaments will be played, then the RMSC Football Stadium and the Tennis Center were the areas visited by the officials in RMSC.
“Thank you Chairman Ramirez for hosting us. Nandito po ako noong 1991 (SEA Games) closing ceremony, malayong-malayo na. This will be the most prepared in terms of facilities and icing on the cake will be the overall championship. Kaya tulong-tulong po tayo para sa ating mga atletang Pilipino.” said Chairperson Martinez.
“Tandaan po natin na 1935 pa nagkaroon ng major facelift itong Complex na ito. It took us 80+ years to see massive improvement and hopefully this would be the dawning of a new era in sports, the renaissance of the country as the Powerhouse in Sports.” added Martinez.
Other House Committee Representatives also expressed their thoughts after the visit.
“I would like to congratulate the PSC, nakakatuwa. Although nakikita natin na malaking challenge pa rin itong ginagawa natin ngayon, naniniwala naman ako na kakayanin natin ito.” said Rep. Revilla.
“Natutuwa po tayo na nakikita nating world-class facilities itong pinapagawa natin. Aside from hosting, gusto nating manalo yung Pilipinas. Aside from dun sa manalo yung country po natin, sana ay maging inspiration sa mga kabataang mga manunuod po rito, eventually sila yung mga maglalaro at maging representative ng ating bansa.” added Rep. Tiangco.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo kay Chairman Ramirez sa pagpapaikot samin sa historic venue ng Philippine Sports. 1935 pa po itong facility na ito at buti po na-preserved po ng maganda at maayos for the future generations of athletes. Para ma-inspire po sila to work harder and to aim for gold for our country.” commented Hon. Dy III.
“Thank you everyone, thank you Mr. Chairman Ramirez. Alam nyo, napakasarap tingnan, kapag ang pera ng gobyerno ay napupunta sa ganitong mga project. Ito po ay nagpapakita lamang ng isang magaling na lider kaya wala na tayong masasabi. Hindi masasayang ang pagbibigay ng pondo ng Kongreso sa PSC. Kaya sa lahat, go go go as one!” expressed Hon. Teves Jr.
Meanwhile, Chairperson Martinez also encouraged the members of the media to help President Rodrigo Duterte, the PSC and the Congress to bring youth into sports.
“Kaya po itong Southeast Asian Games, mahalaga samin sa Kongreso. Kaya kayo as media practitioners, hikayatin po natin ang mga kabataan na pumunta sa mga venues para sa interes nila. Siguro yun ang pinakamagandang maitutulong natin, awareness sa kabataan.” Martinez said.
“Marami pang (Lydia) De Vega, (Elma) Muros, (Isidro) del Prado, Teofilo Yldefonso na nandyan, kaya lang hindi natin sila nabibigyan ng pagkakataon.” he added.
The newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Coliseum will be ready by November 15, while the Ninoy Aquino stadium will be finished on November 21, nine days away from the opening of the 30th Southeast Asian Games slated November 30 until December 11.