MANILA—The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) plans to strengthen its grassroots programs in an effort to discover and develop future Olympians. During a Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Thursday, PSC Chairperson Richard Bachmann emphasized the importance of competitions such as Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games, which have produced Olympic talents like weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and gymnast Carlos Yulo.
According to Philippines News Agency, diaz won the Philippines’ first gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and Yulo recently secured two gold medals at the Paris Games. Bachmann praised the country’s achievements at the Paris Olympics, describing the performance as worthy of a “gold” rating.
With the Olympics behind them, the PSC is now focused on continuing its success in international events, intensifying grassroots programs, and improving sports facilities across the country. Bachmann, a former athlete himself, highlighted the challenges of qualifying for the Olympics and the even greater difficulty of winning a medal.
As the government’s primary funding arm for sports, the PSC is committed to providing financial assistance to all National Sports Associations (NSAs) and sports initiatives. Bachmann expressed gratitude for the continued support from the government, including President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Congress, and reaffirmed the PSC’s dedication to its mandate.