PSC Forum games storay

In honoring those who died in the "Wowowee" stampede, the Philippine Sports Commission has rescheduled the launching of the National Unified Sports Program, which is also geared toward the revitalization of the Philippine Sports Institute.

Chairman Butch Ramirez of the PSC said the two-day launch of the NUSP, originally scheduled to start this Thursday, will instead be held on March 20 to 21 at the multi-purpose Philsports arena.

"In light of the stampede at Philsports last February 4, which left 74 persons dead and hundreds injured, the PSC is observing a 40-day mourning period in the Filipino tradition of honoring the dead,"said Ramirez.

The stampede broke out when a crowd of close to 30,000 tried to push its way inside the Philsports grounds for a chance to be part of the first-year anniversary of the popular noontime show, which has lined up millions of pesos in prizes.

The stampede, the worst to happen in the country, also forced the cancellation of today’s Valetine’s Day concert at Philsports, and another fund-raising event scheduled later this month at the same venue.

The NUSP pertains to a unified effort among 17 different regions aimed at boosting the country’s sports program. Aside from the PSC, also involved are the Philippine Olympic Committee and the departments of health, education and defense.

Once it is launched, these different agencies will be considered "partners and co-workers" in an attempt to keep Philippine sports up on its feet.

The Philippine Sports Institute, founded in 1996 when the PSC was still under Philip Juico as chairman, will once again become operational.

It will offer short and advanced courses, modules, scholarships, research grants and training through e-learning methods to athletes, coaches and even sports leaders.