By WAYLON GALVEZ
With the tragic death of a young wushu athlete, the Philippine Sports Commission is determined to make necessary steps in fast-tracking the renovations of athletes’ dormitories at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.
PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said the death of Rastafari Daraliay, the 11-year-old junior wushu athlete, gave them reason to ask for faster action in procuring the necessary equipment in the rehabilitation of the PSC-controlled venues like the RMSC, PhilSports Complex in Pasig City (formerly ULTRA) and the one in Baguio City.
“This gives us the compelling position to prepare for the rehabilitation. There is more reason to demand the procurement and the money for these facilities,” said Ramirez in a press briefing at the PSC office inside the RMSC.
“We’ll ask CoA (Commission on Audit) for faster. It’s always fundamental to provide safe dorm and facilities,” added Ramirez.
The PSC and wushu association are going to extend financial help to the family of daraliay.
In the press briefing, Wushu Federation of the Philippines secretary-general Julian Camacho said that upon their own investigation Daraliay fell from his ‘bunk bed’ at around 3 a.m. Saturday.
His fellow athletes asked about his condition and were told he was fine, but at around 8:30 a.m. one of his fellow junior’s wushu member saw his condition.
