PSC out to revive Institute of Sports

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Sports Commission is laying the groundwork for the revival of the Institute of Sports, which will be given teeth by an Executive Order from President Duterte and will feature sports science-based regional training centers.

“In the Institute of Sports, we will have a few regional training centers on focus sports such as weightlifting in Zamboanga, archery in Dumaguete-Siliman, diving in Davao, boxing in Negros, and track and field in Vigan and Baguio,” PSC chairman Butch Ramirez told The STAR.

“Sports science must be made available (in each training center) and there should be collaborations with the LGUs and DepEd,” he added.

The PSC will consult with various stakeholders including UAAP, NCAA, the athletic directors of various schools, DILG, Commission of Higher Education, DepEd, AFP, Congress, and former PSC chairman Popoy Juico, who established the Philippine Institute of Sports during his term in the 1990s.

The Institute should be up and running by December, according to Ramirez.

“Consultations are taking place until Sept. 15 and an EO on this sports institute is being prepared to be signed by the President within September,” said Ramirez.

Mr. Duterte has essentially given the plan a thumbs-up, saying it will help attract more potential talents in the provinces and give them the chance to shine just like Zamboangueña Hidilyn Diaz.

The 25-year-old Diaz had snapped the country’s 20-year medal drought in the Olympics with a silver finish in the weightlifting competitions in Rio.