PSC sees more funds for grassroots program

The Philippine Sports Commission intends to strengthen its grassroots development program next year in search of new talents with bigger funds expected to flow in following the country’s fine showings in the recent Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games.

"We could channel some of the funds intended for elite sports to our grassroots development and strengthen our search for new sporting heroes,’’ said PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.

The PSC top honcho hoped funds would flow in following Team RP’s remarkable performance in the Doha Asiad sustaining the momentum of the country’s breakthrough championship in SEA Games last year.

Ramirez is looking forward to putting PSC’s grassroots program in full throttle next year, hoping to sustain the Philippines’ competitive campaign in different international fronts.

Ramirez is optimistic that with Malacañang backing the country’s gold-medal quest in the Olympics funds would come in to support grassroots and elite programs.

The pace of grassroots program had slowed down the last few years due to fund shortage and one multi-event, the Mindanao Friendship Games, has been scrapped early this year.

The government agency usually allocates a large portion of its budget from the National Sports Development Fund for the national athletes and elite disciplines.

On top of the NSDF that comes from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the PSC could get P108 million for its operations next year as provided under the General Appropriations Act.

"Pwede natin uli tulungan ang grassroots," said Ramirez, hinting that developmental programs such as the Palarong Pambansa and the Mindanao Friendship Games would be given a better treatment next year.

"The SEA Games and Asian Games success could bring in more supporters for Philippine sports,’’ said Ramirez, the chef de mission in the SEAG hosted by the country last year and Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

"I’m very fortunate to be associated with this kind of success,’’ he said.