PSC to NSAs: Deliver the gold
There’s no price tag on the Olympic gold. Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez yesterday challenged the different national sports associations (NSAs) to produce gold medals in international competitions, especially in the Olympics.
“I’m challenging you,” Ramirez told heads and representatives of over 30 NSAs that attended a directional meeting held by the government sports agency at Tagaytay Highlands.
Ramirez said any NSA that can promise to win the elusive gold in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo can ask for the moon.
The PSC chief said there’s no limit to the budget that will be spent to train athletes that have a realistic shot at the Olympic gold.
“Give me an athlete who can produce a gold in the Olympics and I’ll get a big amount from my budget,” said Ramirez, adding that the PSC has enough money in the bank.
The current PSC administration inherited close to P1.4 billion in savings from the previous board headed by Richie Garcia.
Ramirez said he will not hesitate spending millions on athletes who can produce the country’s first gold medal in the Olympics. He said Filipino coaches can also benefit from this if they can help achieve the goal.
“I’m challenging you, give me an athlete for the Tokyo Olympics aside from (weightlifter) Hidilyn (Diaz) and I will tell my board to approve a certain budget,” said Ramirez.
Boxing chief Ricky Vargas urged the PSC to sit down with officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the NSAs so they could draw the line and establish the accountability.
“We need to show our athletes and our people that we are accountable. Once we do this, we will get that gold medal (in the Olympics),” Vargas said.
Diaz bagged the silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and vowed to give the gold medal another shot in Tokyo. Her silver in Rio was the country’s first Olympic medal in 20 years.
Ramirez said the 25- year- old Diaz will be provided everything she needs as she gears up for the Tokyo Olympics, which will be her fourth Olympics.
Diaz has promised President Duterte that she will remain committed in winning the gold medal in Tokyo.
Ramirez said Diaz will be provided coaches of her choice, trainers, a sports psychologist and physiologist, and will be made to compete in countless international competitions.
Ramirez added that Diaz can move to Tokyo as early as January in 2020 to make sure she has adjusted to the surroundings heading to the Olympics.
The NSAs only have to write the PSC of their capability to win the gold.
“Write me a letter expressing your intention and your willingness to produce a gold medal,” said Ramirez in the first full day of the directional meeting.
Heads and representatives of the different NSAs arrived in Tagaytay as early Thursday, in time for the fellowship dinner. They met with Ramirez the whole day yesterday. The gathering comes to a close today.