Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio is set to introduce another landmark initiative barely a hundred days into his tenure, unveiling plans to include national youth athletes in the agency’s financial support system.
Under the proposed National Youth Grassroots Development Program, thousands of promising athletes from the Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa will be encouraged to take part. The initiative aims to make it easier for top young performers to pursue their athletic dreams and transition to higher levels of competition.
Gregorio said that preparations are underway for a national youth grassroots development program that will identify and include deserving young athletes in the national youth pool — granting them financial allowances, funding, and opportunities to compete in international tournaments.
“The President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) told me that he wants to see a national youth grassroots development program. This is a presidential campaign and a national priority,” said Gregorio, who served as guest of honor at the 5th Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) Siklab Youth Sports Awards held Saturday at the Diamond Hotel in Malate, Manila.
The Siklab Awards, a joint initiative of Nickel Asia Corporation, Icon Sports Foundation, and the media group covering the PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC), recognizes outstanding achievements of young Filipino athletes in various sports disciplines.
Gregorio urged National Sports Associations (NSAs) to begin identifying promising youth athletes who may qualify for inclusion in the PSC’s expanded support system.
“For the longest time, only elite athletes have received allowances and support from the PSC,” Gregorio noted. “We want to change that by helping the next generation — the future of Philippine sports.”
The PSC chief also highlighted another innovation under his administration: the launch of a digital platform called “Elite Link”, designed to streamline coordination between the agency and Filipino athletes nationwide.
“That’s why a few days ago, we launched the Elite Link app,” he added. “We want to make sure athletes can easily connect with us, and I promise to introduce more firsts to develop world-class athletes who will make the country proud.”
A total of 72 youth awardees were honored during the ceremony organized by the POC–PSC–PPC Media Group. With reports from Peter Atencio
