Photo by Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — One of the country's regional training centers for sports will be established in Baguio City.
The Philippine Sports Commission, led by its chairman Patrick Gregorio, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed a memorandum of agreement for this to happen on Friday at the PSC main office in Manila.
"As you know, last December, the PSC chairman, together with the commissioners, visited Baguio. Because we've been visiting provinces all over the country to identify possible candidates for regional training centers," Gregorio told selected media present at the MOA signing.
The deal aims to aid in the completion of the Baguio Athletic Bowl rehabilitation.
"At pangalawa, tatapusin na lang, hindi na sisimulan. At kita niyo naman, we went to Bukidnon, we went to Zamboanga, and then we saw this one in Baguio, project ng mayor, na konting tulong na lang kayang matatapos na," he added.
The deal is in line with the PSC's goal to pursue more regional development training centers in various parts of the Philippines, while championing athletes' development and upgrading sports facilities.
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"Ang maganda diyan is itong regional training centers, nasimulan na ho ng LGU. And then talagang [may] proven potential areas to get the grassroots athletes. Ilang taon na bang nag-champion kung di champion, runner-up ang Baguio sa lahat ng national sports teams like Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa," Gregorio said.
"So ganoon rin ho 'yung gagawin natin all over the country as we identify regional training centers," he pointed out.
PSC officials earlier inspected the rehab work at the swimming pool, tennis court, and athletes' quarters at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.
The Baguio City mayor thanked the PSC for considering the summer capital as one of the venues for the regional training centers.
"It's an opportunity na we can't miss. So immediately, I grabbed it. Kasi nga, napakaganda 'yung kanyang idea. Imagine, the national players will be going there to train with our boys as well, our girls, our athletes. At the same time, ibang mga players sa ibang mga provinces, top players nga, will be going there to train as well. Ibig sabihin, ang aming players sa Baguio, nagle-level up," Magalong said.
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Other sports facilities in the nearly three-hectare complex include the track oval, which is also undergoing renovation, as well as a basketball court, obstacle sports and sports climbing.
They are also building an indoor sports complex, which will include training rooms for combat sports and martial arts, and a football field.
"We know ever since, kapag sinabi mong Baguio, mag-uunahan talaga 'yung mga NSAs [national sports associations] diyan because of the location, because of the weather, because of 'yung high altitude training. So, talaga nag-uunahan sila diyan. And Baguio is really, Cordillera is really identified as a great regional training center for combat sports. That is what we have to harness," Gregorio said.
The PSC earlier designated Zamboanga City (weightlifting), Bukidnon, and Cagayan de Oro (boxing) as among the sites for regional training centers.
BOOSTING SPORTS TOURISM
Aside from creating a regional training hub, the PSC chief said the project aims to boost sports tourism in the summer capital.
Magalong echoed the sentiment, saying the project will help entice tourism in Baguio City during off-peak season.
"We're happy. Kasi may mga panahon kami na off-peak season kami sa kwan eh, doon naman papasok yung mga sports. To enhance further tourism. So, it will now become a year-round event sa amin. Tourism event. Enhanced by sports," he shared.
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The Baguio City mayor likewise floated a proposal to create a department merging sports and tourism in one.
"I came up with a post supporting nga 'yung merging ng tourism at sports. Kung pwede nga, under one department na lang 'yun. Kasi nga nakita namin 'yung sa Thailand, sa ibang mga countries sa Europe. Minerge nila 'yan. Meaning, they recognize that sports actually is one of the big contributors to tourism. Kaya, kailangang pagsamahin. At the same time, vice versa rin. Mutually supporting each other 'yung dalawa na 'yan," Magalong shared.
The local chief executive said overall rehabilitation work in the Baguio Athletic Bowl is expected to be finished within six months.