PSC, USSA partners to advance PH sports
After forging an active linkage with the Korean Institute of Sports Science (Kiss), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) marked another milestone as it signed a Protocol for Cooperation with the United States Sports Academy (Ussa) at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City Wednesday evening.
PSC chairman William Ramirez said the partnership will help the national sports agency achieve its goal to strengthen programs in elite and grassroots sports through continuing educa- tion of coaches and administrators.
“When we came to the PSC, we launched the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) with the hopes of establishing and strengthening elite and grassroots sports programs. This partnership with Ussa is hoped to achieve that,” Ramirez said.
Ussa president and chief executive officer Dr. Thomas J. Rosandich, for his part, said, “It’s both a pleasure and honor for me to execute this Protocol for Cooperation, noting that the Academy is not new to the Philippines. We taught here many years ago. In fact, I taught a course myself on sports facilities in the early 1980s. We’ve been away too long and we are looking forward to picking up where we had left of.”
Rosandich, in a press conference after the ceremonial signing of the partnership, said, “First and foremost, Ussa’s mission statement is to serve as resource for development of sports for the United States and the world. This is part of our mission.”
He also said Ussa has taught programs to over 65 countries in
We’ve been away ( from the PHL) for far too long and we are looking forward to picking up where we had left of DR. THOMAS ROSANDICH USSA President
the world.
The Ussa founding president, according to him, had lived and worked in the Philippines doing coaching programs before the Academy was founded in 1972.
“We have been invited by the commission to look at ways we can assist the Philippine nation and most importantly the athletes, so it’s natural for us to be here. We are truly pleased with this development,” Rosandich added.
Ramirez thanked his consultant Dr. Perry Mequi and PSI national deputy training director Henry Daut for realizing the partnership with Ussa.
Daut earlier said that the linkage with Ussa will benefit the Philippines as it will open opportunities for Filipino coaches, athletes, administrators and leaders to avail of world-class education, research and services.
The Protocol for Cooperation states that the Ussa shall work with government entities and organizations designated by PSC to contribute to the development of national sports effort; utilize its expertise to review and submit reccomendations with respect to the education and training employed by the PSC and its affiliates.
The USSA will also assess and submit recommendations to sports program support; work with designated PSC or government entity to develop programs of sports related to cultural exchanges; and will assist PSC in the implementation of strategies of cooperation.