Lopez bats for massive sports plan for Manila

Sports will play a significant role in reinventing the City of Manila, said comebacking Mel Lopez, former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair and Manila mayor.

Taking note that the people of Manila has a deep passion for sports, owing to well-attended sports activities in the city, Lopez plans to rehabilitate the playgrounds and build additional swimming pools and sports facilities. He added that the plan will help improve the youth’s health and physical fitness and inculcate basic moral values in them to lure them away from crime and drugs.

Lopez, who is at present chairman of the Manila chapter of Lakas-NUCD-UDMP-KAMPI/People Power Coalition, said that an improved sports program will also give a boost to the city’s peace and order program.

He said the city will embark on a massive grassroots program not only in schools but also in the barangay level. To be strengthened and introduced will be 28 sports disciplines including indigenous sports such as sipa and arnis.

During his incumbency as Manila mayor in 1986, Lopez launched the Quest for Olympic Gold and called on his friends, known for their zeal in sports and business, for support.

While serving as PSC Chair from 1993 to 1995, Lopez initiated consultative meetings and gathered legislative support for the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame, a plan designed to enshrine and perpetuate the memory of the greatest Filipino athletes, which recently led to its signing into law. He also laid the groundwork for the Philippine Sports Academy, designed to give credit to academic credit to coaches and trainers for livelihood purposes.