By MARK REY MONTEJO
Years from now, national teams of boxing and pencak silat will live and train in a modern and conducive environment with a seven-storey dormitory soon rising inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
In the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning, Sept. 12, the project overview and purpose were discussed in the event where Sen. Pia Cayetano and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann were present.
Cayetano, a former national volleyball player and student-athlete, has been instrumental in funding this milestone infrastructure project. As Senior Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, she has been at the forefront of advocating for more support for Filipino athletes and sports development.
“It feels very good, I used to be here every morning of my life when I was member of the volleyball [team], never kong naisip na I have this opportunity to give back,” said Cayetano, a former national volleyball team member.
“It never occurred to me, so it feels really good to have given back, it’s a blessing, a privilege that I have,” she added.
With 28 rooms overall for 120 athletes, the first four floors consist of a study and sleeping quarters and each level has a hangout area where individuals can socialize or do their activities. Upper floors are for boxing and pencak silat gyms.
While their training center is under construction, the boxers are set to train temporarily in Baguio City while the pencak silat bets are currently looking for a place where they can continue to hone their skills.
“We’re looking forward to renovating other facilities as well in the future months,” Bachmann said.
The boxing gym was home of past Olympians in the likes of the Velasco brothers, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas and many more.
Boxing is one of the best sources of medals for the Philippines in international tournaments including the Olympics with 10 medals – four silvers and six bronzes.
