By Jean Malanum/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will build a world-class sports complex in Pangasinan next year.
This was announced by PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in a press conference at the PSC building inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila on Tuesday.
Ramirez said the government has allocated a budget of PHP3.5 billion for the construction of the Philippine Sports Training Center in a 20-hectare property in Rosales town.
“The Philippine Sports Training Center will serve as the official home for the development of athletes in the national team and training pools,” said Ramirez, who was accompanied by Commissioners Celia Kiram, Ramon Fernandez, Charles Maxey and Arnold Agustin.
The training center aims to develop national athletes through the use of scientific programs, proven training techniques and state-of-the-art facilities. It will also serve as venue for the training of coaches and referees as well as host local and international competitions.
The facilities inside the training center are administration building, dormitory for athletes and coaches, baseball field, beach volleyball courts, bowling center, conference and seminar hall, covered swimming and diving pool, football field, gymnastics center, multi-purpose gymnasium, multi-purpose field, including but not limited to archery range, BMX track, lawn balls and petanque field, rugby pitch, skeet and trap range, softball field, track and field oval, lawn tennis courts, velodrome, villas for guests, sports science building, mess hall, recreation hall (audio-visual room), library, weight training building, school buildings, medical center and worship and meditation room.
Meanwhile, Ramirez also announced the holding of a National Sports Summit in February next year.
“This will be an important vehicle for the PSC to discuss the direction of Philippine sports,” Ramirez said.
The PSC chief also mentioned about the sports agency’s other activities such as the sports science seminar to be conducted by the Korea Institute of Sports Science, as part of the bilateral agreement between Korea and the Philippines, on December 7 at the Philsports in Pasig City, Children’s Games in Marawi on December 9-10 and the PSC’s 29th founding anniversary celebration on January next year.
