Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco yesterday assured national athletes and sports leaders that the government is committed to the mission of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to remedy the ills of Philippine sports with the formal launch of the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI).
Speaking before a sea of athletes clad in blue and officials at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, Evasco told them that Malacañang is fully supportive of the PSI’s advocacy.
“I assure all of you that this administration is committed to grassroots development,” said Evasco, stressing that sports play an important role in nation building.
“We have high hopes that grassroots development in sports should engage our youth in productive activities, develop their inter-personal skills and a sense of citizenship,” said Evasco in his keynote address.
Evasco’s speech was obviously aimed at the government’s drive against crime and drug addiction, adding that getting the youth heavily involved in sports should help them “become productive citizens.”
“This will start with the PSI,” he added.
Presidential Adviser on Sports Dennis Uy also decided to contribute in the country’s pursuit by baring his plans to raise R1-billion from the private sector to beef up the PSI’s bank account.