Sun.Star Cebu

■ GOAL! P1B PLEDGED FOR SPORTS, ATHLETES

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Businessma­n Dennis Uy, President Rodrigo Duterte’s adviser on sports, raised at least P1 billion in pledges from private companies who want to support athletes and the growth of Philippine sports, he confirmed at the launch of the Philippine Sports Institute yesterday. What can others do to help?

POC president Peping Cojuangco assures all NSAs will support the programs of the Philippine Sports Commission have a dependable sports program. To have united, strong and healthy national athletes. That is why we hired experts from Korea and Australia to come and help our athletes. To have a true talent identifica­tion program in the regional centers, send them to school and give them training and sports education. These are the basic components of the sports institute. That is why we need the cooperatio­n of DepEd, Ched, DILG and private institutio­ns,” said Ramirez.

At the end of his speech, the two-time PSC chairman asked the athletes to be discipline­d and dedicated to the country because the government will not hesitate to support their needs.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco said the NSAs will give its full support to the programs of the PSC. , while Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. assured the athletes of President Duterte’s full commitment to improve the plight of the Filipino athletes. /

“When I accepted the call of President Duterte to head again the PSC, I am (once again) facing the seriousnes­s of the situation that it has led me to question, saan na ba tayo? There are a lot of shortcomin­gs, hopelessne­ss, but there is hope for Philippine sports. And this is the answer, the Philippine Sports Institute. In most of our travels to different countries, all I could see is that sports science is the basis for everything,” PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said. “The other component is a grassroots program, that is why we have identified 12 regional centers where we started our talent identifica­tion program.”

PSC allocated P25 million for the PSI from its share of the General Appropriat­ions Act (GAA).

Although PSC receives about P240 million from GAA, it uses its share of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporatio­n (Pagcor) earnings for the full implementa­tion of its plans.

“The PSC and the POC have set a direction, a highway for Philippine sports. We need to Sports stakeholde­rs are eager to know what the private sector can contribute to Philippine sports after businessma­n Dennis Uy, the presidenti­al adviser on sports, confirmed that he was able to generate P1 billion in donations from private companies to support Philippine sports and national athletes.

“I was able to generate P1 billion in pledges from private companies to help fund and support Philippine sports and our athletes. (So) I am calling on all of you, national athletes and coaches, sports associatio­ns leaders, government and private sports officials, local government units, sports enthusiast­s and aficionado­s to extend your support to the PSC and the PSI. Let us all work together for Philippine sports,” Uy said during the launching of the Philippine Sports Institute at the Philippine Sports Arena yesterday.

The PSI will serve as vehicle for discoverin­g new talents and improving the country’s performanc­e in internatio­nal competitio­ns. Presidenti­al adviser for sports announces P1-billion donation from private sector for Philippine sports, national athletes

Mahirap ba mahalin ang bayan? WILLIAM RAMIREZ IN MESSAGE TO ATHLETES

 ?? SUNSTAR FOTO / ALAN DEFENSOR ?? SUPPORT. Cabinet Secrtary Leoncio Evasco told athletes and officers of various sports associatio­ns that President Duterte is supporting the initiative of the Philippine Sports Commission.
SUNSTAR FOTO / ALAN DEFENSOR SUPPORT. Cabinet Secrtary Leoncio Evasco told athletes and officers of various sports associatio­ns that President Duterte is supporting the initiative of the Philippine Sports Commission.

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