Speak out: Why not a sports Center at SRP?
Victor Seno
SINCE Manny Pacquiao wanted to invest in SRP and Mayor Tom Osmeña wanted to build a museum for Manny in Cebu, maybe they can put up instead a mega sports center as a joint venture of the Cebu City Government, Pacman Promotions, and other private sports organizations like the PBA ?
Pacman Promotions and the PBA are more than willing to invest since a big sporting arena is what Cebu City needs. This sports dome will house a spacious and modern basketball arena where the PBA can hold their out-of-town games and Pacman’s Boxing Gym, so Manny need not go to Baguio for training.
Pacquiao can also help aspiring boxers get a world class training thru Freddie Roach and other NSAs could relocate their offices in Cebu.
The move is being considered by some due to the troubles caused by frequent typhoons in Manila.
Maybe, private stores that cater mostly on sporting goods, can be put up there as well as medical tourism facilities, and of course, the MP Museum.
The sports center should have an Olympic size swimming pool and a good space for gymnasts’s training.
Come to think of it, this fits well in the grand scheme of things planned by Mayor Tom for the SRP. It is the only missing piece!
And since Manny will be a billion pesos richer by March and I am certain that Capitol will not interpose any objection to this joint venture since Manny is one of the initiators (hence, Malacañang and DENR will support it!), this could even be the first edifice to rise in SRP!
At the end of the day, this sports center will be an important legacy of Mayor Tom and Manny Pacquiao to the Cebuanos.