PSC to meet with POC, PHISGOC

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez (right) talks about the importance of communication between the PSC and the National Sports Associations (NSAs) in a press conference after the PSC-POC-NSAs Alignment Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Summit Hall D on Friday (Mar. 8, 2019). Also in photo are PSC executive director Merlita Ibay and PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez. (PNA photo by Jess Escaros)

MANILA — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is planning to sit down with officials from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) next week about the preparations for the biennial tournament.

PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez has stressed the importance of the meeting that will hopefully give a clear picture of what PHISGOC has done and currently doing with some nine months left before the tournament’s staging.

“There are some concerns that we have to talk about, such as the creation of the SEA Games Task Force,” said Ramirez in a press conference after the PSC-POC-National Sports Associations (NSAs) Alignment Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Summit Hall D on Friday afternoon.

The SEA Games Task Force deals with the criteria for athletes to be included in the Philippine delegation, parade and training uniforms and physical examination of athletes, among others.

The 30th SEA Games is considered as the biggest with 56 sports (45 regular and 11 new) to be held in venues across Clark (Pampanga), Subic (Olongapo), Tagaytay (Cavite) and Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, topics discussed during the alignment meeting were the PSC policies on foreign coaches, per diem of athletes and coaches in international tournaments and NSA requests for financial assistance; update on the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Philsports and Baguio Training Center; reimbursement of pre-approved expenses and requests; meals at the PSC Mess Hall and NSA clearance checklist.

“We are far from perfect as an organization, but as a chief, I assure you that we are putting every effort to improve and deliver services better, compelled not only by our hope to be better partners but inspired by our passion for sports,” said Ramirez, who also stressed the importance of communication between the PSC and the various NSAs.

“Government financial support is a privilege given to deserving NSAs in good standing. Our present stance is not to make things difficult but to put things in order as demanded by law,” he added.

“As leaders and prime movers of sports, we are all here, probably with different solutions in mind, but united in the goal of seeing the Filipino athlete achieve and win big,” Ramirez said.