Sports stakeholders discuss unified program

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission opened the two-day National Sports Stakeholders Forum yesterday at the Crown Regency Hotel in Cebu, hosting over 300 delegates from local government units for discussions on how to unify national efforts for sports development.

“The idea (of holding a summit) came directly from our partners in different regions,” said PSC chairman Richie Garcia.

He added there has been a clamor from different client groups to hold discussions on the the present programs of the PSC that LGUs and the academe can adopt or incorporate into their respective sports programs.

“The response has been encouraging. We hope that this forum would serve as a good stage to institutionalize some very worthy systems to unify our national efforts for sports development,” said Garcia, who welcomed delegates and guests from the Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippines Olympic Committee to the two-day affair.

Yesterday, the PSC chair presented the commission’s programs for the past five years and discussed the formation of the “National Sports Council” to help the LGUs strengthen their programs and promote sports at the grassroots level.

“One of the foremost missions of the PSC is to have a unified sport for all programs for Filipinos, young and old. We are setting our sights in crafting programs and activities, to promote sports awareness and participation, among the citizenry,” said Garcia.

“Not only because we are mandated to do so, but because we honestly believe in the important role of sports in the development of an individual’s overall being and its positive effect to the success of our society,” he added.

Also during yesterday’s forum, PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez updated the stakeholders on the national tournaments the agency is conducting such as the Philippine National Games and the Batang Pinoy, while Commissioner Akiko Thomson-Gueverra presented the PSC’s achievement in the aspect of “Women and Sports.”

The delegates for their part, affirmed their commitment to sports development with the signing of a “Manifesto of Support” and urged the immediate creation of the National Sports Council.

The DepEd, DILG, and the POC are penciled to make their presentations today.