MORE National Sports Associations (NSAs) are showing their support for the policies and programs that the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is introducing.
After the joint POC-PSC Task Force Southeast Asia Games (SEA Games) in Tagaytay City last Friday, PSC Commissioner Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez noted that some NSAs are already giving their support to the board.
“Some NSAs are now supporting our policies, especially the NSAs that belong are inclined to the Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) group. Some also who are identified with Peping Cojuangco are just waiting to be persuaded,” Fernandez told Sun.Star Cebu.
One of the moves that PSC is introducing is the Philippine Institute of Sports (PIS), believed to be a potential game-changer for Philippine sports.
PIS, which is set to be launched on Jan. 16, is PSC’s grassroots development program, which is focused on identifying and developing talents from the countryside, provide training and exposing them to competitions,
especially international tournaments, while staying close to home.
“We have introduced to them PIS and its direction. At least receptive naman sila. Murag nakasabot kon unsay buot namo mahitabo. Because in the end, our products will go to them anyway. We are expecting more NSAs to adopt the PIS program. President Duterte will make it known to them on the PIS launching at the PhilSports Arena on Jan. 16,” said Fernandez.
Although different camps have contrasting opinions on the number of athletes that will be sent to Kuala Lumpur in August for the SEA Games, Fernandez is confident that POC will give in to their will.
“We will be streamlining the number. Only those who have the potential to win medals will be sent. POC has to lower the number of athletes. Because we wanted to optimize the exposure of our elite athletes, who are more likely our entries to the Asian Games in 2018, SEA Games 2019 and Tokyo Olymics in 2020,” added Fernandez.
There will be several more POC-PSC Task Force SEA Games meetings next week and in the coming months to finalize the entry to the Kuala Lumpur competition.