PSC launches grassroots program

Mass-based sports took center stage as the Philippine Sports Commission launched yesterday its National Grassroots Development Program (NGDP) at the Bayview Plaza Hotel in Manila.

Over 400 sports leaders of various local government units from all over the country, including representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Education arrived yesterday to participate in the three-day launching activity.

PSC chairman Eric Buhain led the kick off rites of the NGDP wherein various concerns regarding the Philippine National Youth Games — Batang Pinoy, Palarong Pambansa, Summer Youth Training Camp, and CHED National Games were discussed.

Other specialized events under the umbrella of the NGDP, which will also be presented during the launching, are the AFP-PNP Special Olympics, PRISAA, UNIGAMES, Batang Lansangan and the Mindanao Friendship Games.

"We aim to give direction to the full development of grassroots sports in the country by putting all mass-based events under one program," chairman Buhain said.

"The program seeks to gear its activities towards a more comprehensive and wider involvement of the youth," Buhain added.

The PSC chairman also said the NGDP aims to reinforce the foundation of the Filipino youth by way of competitions and, at the same time, serve as a platform to discover young athletic talents.

With the transfer of school sports from the Department of Education to the PSC, the government sports agency is now practically responsible for all multi-sports events and has scheduled their staging in a synchronized manner.

"By coming up with this program, the system of grassroots development in the country will be synchronized," Buhain said.

Under the NGDP, the Palarong Pambansa and CHED National Games will be held every summer, the Mindanao Friendship Games in November and the Batang Pinoy Games in December.