Nat’l training center goes pfft

THERE won’t be a new national training center for Filipino athletes or a sports complex of grand proportions under the term of President Aquino.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. said yesterday that negotiations to build a 50-hectare facility in Clark Field, Pampanga, fell through due to the high rental cost being demanded by the state corporation that owns the property.

“I don’t see it happening under the present administration,” said Cojuangco, the President’s uncle. “But we will not give up. Hopefully, we can get the job done after next year’s elections.”

Philippine Sports Commission Chair Richie Garcia earlier said the property owner, Clark International Airport Corp., had proposed an annual rent of P150,000 per hectare, or P7.5 million for the 50 ha, an amount the sports agency deems too steep.

Cojuangco said they would look for a new area to build the complex.

“Other countries have two or more training centers while the Philippines has none,” he said.

The PSC has reportedly set aside a seed money of P100 million for the multibillionpeso training and housing center for athletes.

The amount, which will come from the savings of the agency, would cover the planning, architectural design, permits and the construction of a few basic structures, necessities and facilities, among others.