Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann and commissioners Olivia “Bong” Coo, Walter Torres, Edward Hayco, and Matthew “Fritz” Gaston knew they were facing a gargantuan task in the year that passed.
The good thing was that they have started laying the groundwork a year ahead.
“One thing that immediately captured my attention was the vast amount of work that needed to be done right away—even before I sat in my office. The numerous convening, requests for assistance, and support seemed endless,” chairman Bachmann admitted in an earlier interview in his first few days at work a year earlier.
Though the journey was not without its struggles, with hits and misses along the way, the current PSC board eventually found its rhythm.

The PSC worked hand in hand with major stake stakeholders such as the Philippine Olympic Committee and various national sports associations in taking care of the elite athletes and the results of their combined efforts became evident in their exceptional achievements on the global stage.
And what a year it was for Philippine sports.
The Philippines celebrated a historic milestone with its best finish in the history of the Olympics at the Paris 2024 Games. This achievement cements the nation’s growing reputation on the international sports stage and signals a bright future for Filipino athletes.
The Philippines bagged two golds and two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking the country’s finest performance in a century of Olympic participation.
Big thanks to Carlos Yulom who emerged as a national hero, clinching gold in both the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise and the Men’s Vault for the Philippines in the most prestigious sporting events on the planet.
Meanwhile, boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio added bronze medals to the country’s tally, underscoring the enduring strength of Filipino athletes in combat sports.
This historic haul placed the Philippines 37th in the overall medal tally, a remarkable feat that reflected not only the athletes’ hard work, but also the robust support system provided by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The Paralympic Games also saw inspiring performances from Filipino athletes. While no medals were secured, four out of six Paralympians advanced to the final rounds of their events, demonstrating resilience and determination.

MAJOR EVENTS
The PSC provided robust support to international competitions, including the preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games and participation in the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games, featuring athletes from Mindanao, BARMM, Palawan, and Puerto Princesa City.
It helped host the 22nd Asian Cadet Junior & U21 Championship and the 46th Southeast Asian Shooting Association Championships and supported the Volleyball Nations League 2024 and eFIBA Season 3 World Finals.
The PSC also supported the Filipino athletes’ participation in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup, and other international competitions.
GRASSROOTS

The PSC’s flagship grassroots programs—Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games co-hosted more than 11,000 athletes with the City government of Puerto Princesa City during the 2024 Batang Pinoy National Championships in December.
Then there was the Laro’t Saya sa Parke: A community-based initiative promoting recreational sports across the country; Indigenous Peoples Games, a program celebrating traditional Filipino sports in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and the Philippine National Para Games, highlighting the achievements of para-athletes, with Pasig City crowned as overall champions in 2024.
The PSC also collaborated with other stakeholders in the hosting of the Philippine ROTC Games, engaging ROTC cadets in sports across the country and putting a premium on Women in Sports, highlighted by the first-ever awards and recognition for women sports personalities.
From grassroots programs to elite international competitions, the PSC’s initiatives ensure that Philippine sports remain a continuous source of inspiration for generations to come.
INFRASTRUCTURE
To further support the growth and success of Filipino athletes, the PSC is prioritizing the development and enhancement of sports facilities.
This includes the construction of a seven-story athletes’ dormitory and a 12-story Multi-Sport Training Center.
The PSC is also undertaking the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, the PSC Administration Building, the Philippine Sports Museum, and the Gymnastics Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) to meet international standards.
LOOKING FORWARD

As 2025 unfolds, the Philippine Sports Commission is gearing up for another dynamic year, committed to supporting stakeholders such as the Philippine Olympic Committee and various national sports associations.
This initiative is part of its unwavering dedication to elite sports programs and international competitions.
The PSC is focused on ensuring athletes’ successful preparation, training, and participation in key international tournaments.
These include the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand, the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, and The World Games in Chengdu, China.
In addition, the PSC is set to host several prestigious events such as the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships, the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships, the 2025 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship, and the 2025 World Beach SAMBO Championship.
Beyond elite sports, the PSC aims to expand its grassroots programs this year to nurture young and aspiring athletes through its key programs like the Laro’t Saya Program, Batang Pinoy, Indigenous Peoples Games, and the Philippine National Games.
These initiatives reflect the PSC’s dedication to fostering a robust sports culture at the community level.
GREATER HEIGHTS
“It has been a challenging experience so far, but amidst it all, the beauty of greatness I continuously find in our athletes and Philippine sports exceeds all the hardship and complexities that come with the tasks,” Bachmann said.
With an aggressive push for both elite and grassroots sports development, alongside significant investments in infrastructure, the PSC is poised to elevate Philippine sports to greater heights in 2025 and in the years to come.
(The Philippine Sports Association is celebrating its 35th anniversary on January 24, 2025.)