The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has approved the renaming of select sports facilities to national athletes who brought immense pride and honor to the country.
The weightlifting gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex will now be known as the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Gym.
Last month, Diaz became the first Filipino to win the Olympic gold when she topped her weightlifting event in record fashion, ending a 97-year wait for the country.
Most facilities are now named after the Philippine Sports Hall of Famers with the
Rizal Memorial Tennis Center will now be called the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Court, the swimming venue will now named Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool, and the track oval now the Simeon Toribio Track Stadium.
The old indoor gym that was renamed after the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino following its renovation in 1989 was reverted back to its original name – the PSC Multi-Purpose Gym.
Aquino’s death sparked the 1986 People Power Revolution that brought down President Ferdinand Marcos.
“These athletes have given the honor to the country with their work in sports, we hope to keep their legacies alive for this and next generations,” said PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez.
“We want to pique the interest of the people who will read about or visit the facility. Who is Teofilo Yldefonso? What did Felicisimo Ampon do that this venue is named after him?”
The PSC said this is just the first round of naming the playing venues to sports heroes.
Also being planned is the opening of a modern Philippine Sports Museum building inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The current PSC museum only houses several memorabilia of a number of sports heroes. (Kristel Satumbaga)
