ON Friday, March 8, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) met with about 60 national sports associations (NSAs) in an alignment meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Summit Hall D.
The purpose of the meeting was to update the NSAs on the preparations for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in December to be held in Manila and several other cities. Other matters were also discussed like the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC), Philsports Complex and the training center in Baguio City.
According to the PSC, the estimated completion of the training center in Baguio City will be ready by October.
At the RMSC, partial availability of the dormitories will be at the end of April.
The PSC also announced that all members of the national training pool will be required to undergo nutrition assessment and biometric fingerprinting.
According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) web site, PSC Chairman William Ramirez said ”There are some concerns that we have to talk about, such as the SEA Games Task Force.”
Ramirez continues, ”We are far from perfect as an organization, but as a chief, I assure you that we are putting every effort to improve and deliver services better, compelled not only by our hope to be better partners but inspired by our passion for sports.”
I was present as a representative of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and its president. Personally, having observed the meeting, the PSC is faced with a slew of challenges, same with the NSAs.
The NSAs must find ways to generate their own funds to supplement the resources they’re receiving from the PSC. I know it’s easier said than done so I urge the private sector to adopt an NSA and use them as a vehicle for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.
After the treatment our athletes received especially our athletics team from our Malaysian hosts two years ago. I sincerely and fervently hope that the PSC, POC, NSAs and our athletes are motivated to surpass their performance in Kuala Lumpur in 2017. Alignment meetings are important so that everyone is looped in and on the same page. Its part of Good Governance.