PSC: 𝗕𝘂𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 Ph 𝗯𝗼𝘅𝗲𝗿𝘀 and other athletes.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has identified an ideal training hub where national boxers can prepare for major international competitions.

On Thursday, PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio agreed with Senator Miguel Zubiri and the local government of Bukidnon to transform the newly built Bukidnon Sports and Cultural Complex into a breeding ground for world-class Filipino boxing talent.

“I’m very happy to be here. Thumbs up to the development of your province and city—such beautiful facilities. I’ve seen many training centers around the world, and this is truly world-class,” said Gregorio during his visit to the sprawling 13-hectare complex in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Senator Zubiri, the driving force behind this landmark development in Northern Mindanao, personally toured Gregorio around the facility, which features a 15,000-seat stadium, an eight-lane track and field oval, a football field, and an aquatics center with an Olympic-size swimming pool and diving pool.

Among the key amenities is a 3,000-seat gymnasium designed for basketball, badminton, and martial arts, along with four tennis courts, an open field for outdoor events, an auditorium for cultural performances, and a museum.

Joining the tour were Bukidnon Governor O’Neil Roque and Malaybalay City Mayor Warren Pabillaran, who both expressed support for Gregorio’s proposal to designate the complex as one of several regional training centers across the country.

“We’ll support your regional training centers—that’s our commitment in the Senate. Mayor Warren and Governor O’Neil are here with us. We are one Bukidnon, so rest assured you’ll have our full support. We’re proud to host the boxing team,” said Zubiri.

He added that the track and field oval will soon be opened to the public, mirroring PSC’s initiative at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and Philsports in Pasig City, where citizens can use the facilities free of charge.

“The PSC’s role goes beyond supporting national athletes. If we work harder and collaborate with LGUs, we can develop regional training centers,” said Gregorio, referring to a directive from the Office of the President to establish national and regional hubs outside Metro Manila.

“We mapped out all potential training centers nationwide and presented them to the President. We aim to develop these within 12 to 18 months. Why are we doing this? In Zamboanga, for example, there are 300 young weightlifters—it's their focus sport, and they’re winning in international competitions,” he explained.

“We promised the President that we would develop regional training centers, provided we receive support from the government and LGUs, with each LGU adopting a specific sport they wish to promote,” Gregorio added.

Also present was national boxing coach Elmer Pamisa, who trains at least 60 boxers in the boxing hotbed of Cagayan de Oro. The muay thai and sepak takraw national teams have likewise expressed interest to join the national boxers in Bukidnon.

“Boxing is perfect for a region like Bukidnon. Many boxers hail from Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, General Santos City, and even Davao,” said Gregorio.

“One of our coaches, Mario Fernandez—a two-time SEA Games gold medalist—is from Malaybalay. Ironically, Mario is currently based in Baguio, training 13- to 15-year-old boxers from Bukidnon. Clearly, there’s something off with that setup,” he noted.

Pamisa, a two-time Southeast Asian Games silver medalist and the discoverer of Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam, expressed optimism about the PSC’s initiative and Bukidnon’s commitment to housing national boxers in a world-class facility.

Bukidnon’s football field will have an artificial pitch soon after Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez has committed to apply for a grant from the International Football Federation or Fifa, the world governing body in the sport, in a phone conversation with Zubiri and Gregorio.

``There are a lot of good football players that come from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The PFF might want to help, so we can have an artificial pitch. He’ll (Gutierrez) for a grant from Fifa. We’ll be able to train football players here. Thank you, Chairman for coming to Bukidnon,’’ said Zubiri. DANNY SIMON

From L to R: DPWH-10 Engr. Virgie Nayve, Bukidnon Gov. Oneil Roque, PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio, Sen. Miguel Zubiri, Coach Elmer Pamisa, and Malaybalay City Mayor Warren Pabillaran at the Bukidnon Sports Complex.