It looks like a bigger community will have the last laugh when the government decided not to push through with the hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
The big chunk of the money that will be saved, according to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez, will be used for community sports projects.
Some of the government’s grassroots and sports-for-all projects are the Laro’t Saya sa Parke program, featuring the sports of arnis, basketball, boxing, chess, taekwondo, volleyball, table tennis and zumba, and the Children’s Games.
More than the competitive side of the sports, the PSC is promoting large-scale participation to help the government in promoting an active lifestyle among Filipino families.
“We will focus more on community sports and the grassroots (program),” said Marc Velasco, director of the Philippine Sports Institute, which has sports coordinators all over the country to implement the PSC’s thrusts to spread sports participation down to the farthest community.
This is a clear statement that government budget for sports is not just meant of elite athletes. Ordinary citizen are now given more platforms and avenues to play and enjoy sports.
The most recent Laro’t Saya sa Parke program was participated in by hundreds of enthusiasts in Tagum City in Mindanao.
LSP is a park-based sports program of the PSC aiming to draw Filipino families into play and sports.
“It’s the community’s gain and we really feel good that we make thousands of Filipinos happy,” added Velasco.
Sports against drugs
Another community-based sports that’s gaining popularity among local governments (LGUs) is the Kabataan Iwas-Droga which had its inaugural event in Bacoor, Cavite.
Hundreds of students participated in badminton and chess clinics while local barangay officials joined in pencak silat and zumba.
When the talks about the 2019 hosting were still upbeat, Clark in Pampanga was being offered to be the main hub.
Now, the PSC is more keen on renovating and building sports facilities in the provinces.
“We thought in two years we could build facilities for the SEA Games in 2019 and we planned to take it at Clark Green City,’’ said Ramirez.“But there are many areas that need sports facilities and sports programs that we feel that the PSC should address,’’ said Ramirez.
While the PSC had already announced the government’s pullout from the hosting job, the POC is not yet giving up.
There are plans for the national sports associations under the POC umbrella to hold talks with President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider the government’s position.
POC president Peping Cojuangco is also toying with the idea of getting the local governments, especially the governors, to take charge of the Games, although proceeding with it is still needs the support of the national government.
“We also share in the fervor of all peace-loving Filipinos to protect our country’s reputation even in the face of adversity. As such, we wish to promote the Philippines as a beautiful place and safe haven for international events,’’ added Cojuangco, who is batting for sports tourism.
Cojuangco said the hosting (of the Games) will show the world the tenacity of the Philippines in the midst of challenges.
“We need the 2019 SEA Games to help generate more tourism receipts and invite leisure and business travelers from around the world. It is in this light that we appeal to the President to support the hosting of the Games,’’ said Cojuangco.
KL Games
Meanwhile, the country is preparing hard for the coming edition of the biennial meet happening on August 19-31 in Kuala, Lumpur Malaysia.
The Philippines set out to the games with 498 athletes out to better its 7th place finish the last time out.
Out of the 405 gold medals at stake, Philippine officials, led by chef the mission Cynthia Carrion, are looking hoping to get at least 50 gold medals.
Carrion said the gilts are expected to come from athletics, boxing, billiards, taekwondo, triathlon, wushu and team events rugby and basketball.
Even as the PSC is putting more efforts to grassroots program, it is keeping its vow to fully support the elite athletes.
It is spending P86.7 million for the athlete’s participation in the KL Games. “We will continue to support our national athletes who make us proud in the global stage, even as we also focused on grassroots development,” said Ramirez.
On Thursday, the PSC and POC will jointly hold a sendoff party for the Filipino athletes competing in the KL SEA Games.