The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will mandate members of the national team to sign a contract with the agency to ensure that their training will be strictly monitored.
PSC chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez said the move will make it easier to supervise the progress of their training under the watchful eyes of Marc Velasco, tapped by the PSC to serve as national training director.
Velasco, recruited by Ramirez from the Hong Kong Sports Institute, is credited for leading a HK cyclist to a bronze-medal finish in the 2012 London Olympics.
Ramirez insists that every athlete and coach will have to abide by the PSC and those who don’t won’t receive any funding at all.
“The PSC gives you money to train and maintain and perform,” said Ramirez, noting that the PSC is accountable to the public as it is taxpayers’ money that is being used to finance their training and overseas competitions.
“If they wont’s sign, walang sweldo,” stressed Ramirez.
Under the PSC’s general plan, athletes will be classified into three major cycles: Southeast Asian Games (two years), Asian Games (four years), and Olympics (four years).
“Once we give an allowance, you are expected to train well and deliver based on your cycle,” said Ramirez, adding that Velasco will dip his hands into every NSA getting assistance from the PSC.
There are over 50 NSAs aligned with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) although only 40 are regular members while the rest are either associate or recognized members.
Meanwhile, another round of consultative meetings are set for Sept. 22 and 23 at the Philsports in Pasig with the PSC taking charge once more.
Two weeks ago, a two-day sports summit was staged and attended by high-ranking government officials, including Sen. Manny Pacquiao, chairman of committee on sports and games.
But this time, the PSC will be presenting a more detailed roadmap in its quest to upgrade Philippine sports.