Monday, September 08, 2008 PSI launching set October 30 By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
THE Philippine Sports Commission will launch on October 30 in Manila the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) that PSC Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez said would boost the country's sports development program.
"This will be my legacy," the 58-year-old Ramirez said of PSI, a honest-to goodness program that will bridge the grassroots and elite sports through academic courses related to sports. The courses, to be accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched), will be offered to athletes, coaches, and sports practitioners.
The PSI will also give seminars and conferences to the athletes and coaches.
Ramirez made the announcement over dinner he hosted Saturday night for members of the sports writing fraternity and other media friends.
The PSC said he will also launch his book during the PSC launching but gave no further details.
Ramirez said he was also happy that the PSC short-term development plan he crafted was approved recently by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda).
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier lauded the PSC for setting the direction of Philippine sports in its successful formulation of the blueprint called the 2008-2010 Short-Term Development Plan.
Now, for the first time since the passage of the Philippine Sports Commission Act or Republic Act 6847, Philippine sports can boast of a duly approved short-term development program.
"The duly approved short-term development program shows that the Neda and the various agencies that studied our proposal have appreciated the goals and thrusts that the PSC aims to achieve for the next three years," Ramirez said in an earlier statement.
Meanwhile, Ramirez announced the holding of the Children's Games this year in Davao City. The meet will feature the main focus sports.
