Sports leaders to chart PSI master plan

The Philippine Sports Commission will chart the course of Philippine sports in a rare gathering of the brightest minds in local sports Thursday at the Century Park Hotel.

PSC chair William Ramirez said the high-level consultative meetings among top sports officials and stakeholders would prioritize the crafting of a master plan for the Philippine Sports Institute.

According to Ramirez, the PSI is the missing link for the country to produce world-class athletes and capture medals in the Olympics on a consistent basis.

The two-day affair will be presided by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Ramirez. Philippine Olympic Committee officials led by president Jose Cojuangco Jr., International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, POC chair Tom Carrasco, 1st vice president Joey Romasanta and secretary general Steve Hontiveros were also invited.

Expected to lead the discussions along with Ramirez is former PSC chair Philip Ella Juico, who conceptualized the master plan for the sports institute during the term of President Fidel Ramos but wasn’t initially tested until the Arroyo administration when Ramirez first took over the PSC.

“We’re the only country in Asia that doesn’t have a sports institute. It will help us build a strong sports program and a true grassroots development program,’’ said Ramirez.