THE Philippine Sports Commission will take a more active role in the preparation of national athletes for international competitions, including the Hangzhou Asian Games in September, according to PSC chairman Richard Bachmann.
“We are not just a funding agency,” Bachmann said yesterday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC audio-visual room in Manila.
Joining the PSC chief in the session backed by the PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp., San Miguel Corp. and Milo were Commissioners Edward Hayco, Bong Coo and Fritz Gaston.
Bachmann expressed his sentiments following his first-hand experience during the 32nd Cambodia Southeast Asian Games, where Pinoy athletes won 58 gold, 85 silver and 117 bronze medals.
He added the “welfare and needs of the athletes remain our priorities.”
He revealed that he already talked with Leyte Rep. and fencing chief Richard Gomez, the newly-appointed national chief of mission for the Hangzhou Asian Games, about the requirements of the national delegation of in the continental meet.
“There are rooms for improvement,” said Bachmann, who wanted the PSC’s medical team and personnel to be enlarged for the 19th Asian Games set Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 in Hangzhou, China.
“We need ultrasound and laser machines. We should bring our own machines. We will make improvements for the coming Asian Games,” he said. “We also intend to come up with our own criteria so that only those that are truly deserving will go to Hangzhou.”
Bachmann said he has asked his commissioners to familiarize themselves with the respective sports they are now overseeing so they could provide greater engagement with the athletes.
“They key is for the commissioner in charge (of certain sports) to understand the sport and how to improve the sport. Hindi tayo taga-bigay na lang ng pera. The PSC will step up,” he said.
This, he said, include improving and renovating the training facilities and gyms for the national athletes “so that they can be even more competitive in national play.”
