The Philippine Sports Commission has received a marching order from the President to make sports accessible to all Filipinos.
And that should be done.
We will call this move as a Pragmatic Sports Campaign (PSC).
Long before before the Olympics was born, humanity has for centuries, specially men, conducted physical exercises to develop themselves in preparation for the eventuality of war.
I read somewhere that there was a time that the King of England banned golf and commanded the further development of their archers.
PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez has called upon all Local Government Unit leaders to strengthen their Provincial and City Physical Sports Councils with the help of the sports experts in the country.
Consultation meetings have already started and coaches education including spreading the knowledge of sports science and sports medicine to fit their medium and long term plans are the hot topics these days.
The PSC will also focus on the development of elite athletes, continue to support deserving National Sports Associations and tap them for a grassroots sports program in partnership too with the Department of Education and the private sector.
The Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games, which are actually awesome events when it started, are now being strengthened with sports for peace agenda, indigenous sports and even differently-abled sports being highly-considered for inclusion.
Frankly, this is a big move that would require so much money and cooperation from the LGUs.
That reminds me that it is about time that the Pagcor will give its full share to the PSC, as mandated by law, in order for the sports commission to properly function.
It’s just like requiring the billionaires of this country to pay the taxes due to the government so that services that are needed by the people can be done!
What I even had in mind is for the government to take a sort of “leave of absence” in international competitions until the comprehensive sports development program is set in place and in motion in the country, thus, resources are properly channeled to make sure all the missing pieces of the puzzle are in place.
To give you an idea, the Bundesliga took them years before it formally launched into a professional league in Germany.
Unlike in the Philippines, the P-League, our own version of Bundesliga, was launched without a very clear sense of direction and what happened? It went Pffft.
A comprehensive sports development program for the people is a must.
The competing internationally and winning medals will be just a bonus.
But first, let us create healthy and vibrant Filipinos through genuine sports development.
Change must come Dearies.
