Citing sports’ “pivotal role in nation-building,” the new leadership of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is reaching out to the private sector to help elevate the level of play of the Filipino athlete.
Butch Ramirez, who formally assumes the chairmanship at noontime tomorrow, has actually penciled a meeting with a small group from the private sector this weekend.
“Government cannot do it alone,” Ramirez told the PSA Forum, his first appearance in the weekly public service program after a long absence. “The government has to partner with the private sector.”
Ramirez was joined by the four other commissioners—basketball great Ramon Fernandez, pencak silat president Dr. Celia Kiram, PSC Sports Facilities head Arnold Agustin and former Davao City sports editor Charles Maxey.
Like Ramirez, the four were also handpicked by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to chart the course of sports in the next six years, a timeline Ramirez feels will guarantee “transparency in government dealings” and the renewed effort to revive sporting events aimed at restoring peace in Mindanao.
To entice the private corporations to chip in, Ramirez plans to come up with a blueprint that he will present to these companies.
Fernandez, clearly the most recognizable face among the current batch, echoed Ramirez’s stand on public service.
“Once they see that everything is transparent, it will be easy for corporations to come in,” said the 62-year-old four-time PBA MVP and many-time member of the national team. (NICK GIONGCO)
