Binay pushes for sports grassroots program

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay said over the weekend that the country’s hope for an Olympic medal hinges on the development of sports programs at the grassroots level.

“In my last engagement with the Philippine Sports Commission, we called on our LGUs (local government units) to help send fresh blood through our Olympic veins,” Binay said during the homecoming reception for Filipino athletes who competed in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Coconut Palace last Friday.

“Our national sports associations (NSAs) need to work hand in hand with the LGUs which have the funds for sports programs and launch local programs to identify and develop our athletes,” he added.

Binay said the NSAs can take a cue from boxer Mark Barriga who is a product of a grassroots boxing program initiated by former Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo of Davao del Norte.

Barriga is the only member of the Phl team who went past the first round of competitions in the recent Olympic Games.

“We should push for a strategy that will strengthen grassroots sports programs like the one supported by the visionary former congressman,” said Binay.

“In the 90s, the Velasco brothers of Negros Occidental won medals in the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics. They too were products of the grassroots boxing program initiated by the city government of Bago,” he added.

Binay said we can also learn a lot from our Southeast Asian neighbors like Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand which have managed to get medals in the London Games.

“Naniniwala ako na kapantay lamang natin ang mga bansang ito kung pisikal na kakayahan at abilidad ang pag-uusapan. Subalit, mayroon silang malinaw na bisyon kung saang sport sila mangingibabaw at doon nila ibinubuhos ang kanilang pagpupunyagi sa paglinang ng kanilang mga atleta (I believe that we are at par with these countries in physical abilities and other aspects. But they have a clearer vision as to which sport to put their resources and develop their athletes),” he said.