PSC chief Gregorio: Regional training centers key to continued success

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio is keen on building regional training centers to further strengthen grassroots development and promote inclusivity even in remote provinces.

Traveling in his first international mission as the sports chief, Gregorio arrived in this ultramodern city Wednesday afternoon to attend the opening ceremonies of the 2025 World Games at the Tianfu International Convention Center and give his word of support to the national teams in Chengdu,China.

And what a perfect time to lay out his grand plan of putting up training hubs in key locations in the Philippines with the presence of Filipino athletes who joined this significant multi-sports event for non-Olympic disciplines.

"We must develop these centers to give young athletes an equal chance of honing their talents and avoid them being taken away from their families," said Gregorio, who met with Team Philippines Chef de Mission Stephen Arapoc to also discuss his next big project for the sports agency.

"There is already a directive from the Office of the President to put up regional training centers. It is now all about creating a framework which will work for both the PSC and the stakeholders," added Gregorio, who, himself, was a former CdM in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama where karatedo Junna Tsukii won gold in women's kumite 50kg.

With the sports agency's recent initiative of opening the track ovals gaining positive feedback from the public, Gregorio said it is high time to build training hubs in several strategic cities across the country.

He mentioned Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Clark in Pampanga, Lucena in Quezon Province, Ormoc City in Leyte, Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, and urbanized areas in Mindanao like Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City, and General Santos City as possible hubs.

These locations, he said, must also adopt a sport specific to the needs and the assets available.

"Aside from the help of the local government and the schools, these provinces must cater a sport they are known for," Gregorio explained.

"For example, Zamboanga has plenty of weightlifters because of Hidilyn Diaz, so the city should serve as the key training center for that sport, much like muay thai in Baguio City, or boxing in Cagayan de Oro and GenSan, or football in Bacolod," he furthered.

To jumpstart this plan, the PSC is set to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority on August 13 to make New Clark City a regional sports hub.

It would align well with the goals of the agency with the government-run National Academy of Sports already functioning inside the NCC.

Chengdu World Games Grand Opening Ceremony..BUWENAS PILIPINAS!