Having a better understanding of what athletes and coaches went through during the recent 32nd Southeast Asian Games will help the Philippine Sports Commission get a better grasp of its plans and programs.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann said this following a series of meetings and strategic planning sessions with the agency’s four board members over the last few days.
The discussions came following the end of the country’s participation in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Bachmann felt at the presence of commissioners Bong Coo, Walter Torres and Matthew Gaston in Cambodia gave them an insight and understanding on how the agency should addresses the needs of every athlete, coach and national sports association.
“They key here is for the commissioners to understand the sport (that they are involved in). Because I don’t want the PSC to be just known for giving out funds. I want the PSC to understand the sport (that it is supposed to help), and be able to work with the NSAs (national sports association) and help improve sports,” said Bachmann.
Bachmann discussed his thoughts during Tuesday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.
The PSC chief urged the commissioners to get more involved and walk it through with the NSAs with their plans and programs.
And as preparations for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China begin, the agency needs to improve on the support that it provides to the NSAs.
“There is room for improvement in the Asian Games,” added Bachmann, who explained that the agency will address the requirements of the athletes better.
During the planning session in the last few days, Coo said there is a need to upgrade facilities for female athletes in honing their skills so that they can perform better.
Commissioner Edward Hayco, who is more involved in the grassroots’ level, cited the importance of having sustainable programs, something similar to his involvement in the development of dancesport in Cebu City, which he started with his wife back in 1996.
Gaston vowed to focus on the development of amateur sports activities, and on the 17 disciplines that have been assigned to him and see what actions can be done in their development programs.