Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ricardo Garcia has received marching order from President Benigno Aquino III to focus on priority sports where the Filipinos have better chances of winning gold medals, especially in the Olympic Games.

Garcia informed the Senate during the recent deliberation of the PSC’s proposed P178-million budget for 2012 after Senator Edgardo Angara urged the PSC to select five to 10 sports that it would prioritize and cultivate over the next several years.

“Actually, I got marching orders from the President regarding the priority sports and we have already picked at least 20 sports that will be included although the number would still reduce to 10, depending on the results of the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia,” Garcia told the Senate subcommittee on finance.

Angara said the PSC must have strategy in identifying key sports where the Filipinos have the potential to excel.

“Limited resources require the PSC to exercise discretion in which sports it will give primary attention,” Angara said.

He said there was a disparity between popular sports and sports in which Filipinos can excel.

“We all want to play basketball, but Filipinos are not very tall,” Angara said. “On the other hand, our natural agility gives us an advantage in sports like football.”

These priority sports should then be developed by initiating grassroots training programs and funding from foreign investors.

“Our foreign partners can conduct sports outreach programs. They provide coaches, equipment, even financial support,” Angara said. “We can even send our athletes to their country to train with them, much like university exchange programs.”

Angara has been in talks with football giants, such as Real Madrid, that are interested in bringing their expertise to the Philippines.

In 2005, Angara initiated a similar program when a six-member delegation from Andalucia-based Centro de Estudios, Desarollo eInvestigación del Fútbol Andaluz (CEDIFA) conducted football clinics in Baguio, Negros Occidental and Baler, Aurora.

”Of course, this does not mean that other sports will be neglected,” Angara said. “Funding and support must also be given to other sports as the need arises,” he added.*PNA

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