BAGUIO CITY – The Philippine Sports Commission board is seriously considering renovating the Teachers Camp facility here as the training center for the national team that can accommodate more than 400 athletes from at least 12 sports disciplines.
PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez mentioned this Monday night after his discussion with the athletes from boxing and canoe kayak who are training here in preparation for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this August in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Pwede na lang ayusin ito (Teachers Camp),” said Ramirez, here for a dialogue with different Local Government Units (LGUs) and the launching of the PSC’s Philippine Sports Institute.
“Sa aking experience kung magpatayo ka ng malaking sports complex and dormitory, kayang mag-accommodate ito ng 400 athletes. Elevated siya, ideal talaga dito,” added Ramirez.
Since last year, more that 100 elite athletes are training at the 23-hectare camp from boxing and track and field.
Last month, about 20 athletes from canoe kayak began its cross training here and at nearby Ambuklao Dam.
Renovating the Teacher’s Camp, which is owned by the government under the Department of Education – similar to the Philsports Complex in Pasig City – became a possibility since President Duterte appointed Ramirez as head of the PSC for the second time after serving in 2005 to 2009.