PSC sets focus on local talent; Ramirez warns ‘warring’ NSAs

PSC chair William Ramirez. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The Philippine Sports Commission will focus on searching for and training homegrown talents than rely on imported coaches or athletes.

“I have nothing against Filipino-foreign athletes, but there’s more honor and pride if a homegrown Filipino brings home a gold medal,” said PSC chair Butch Ramirez yesterday.

Ramirez said the PSC will invest more on grassroots platforms such as the Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy Championships, the Philippine National Games and regional tournaments designed to discover promising athletes from the countryside.

As for the local coaches, Ramirez said the PSC won’t hesitate to fund them if they can be at par with their foreign counterparts.

“Why hire a foreign coach if your local coaches are capable of teaching the same program to their athletes?” said Ramirez.

Foreign coaches normally get $1,500 to $3,000 (roughly P75,000 to P150,000) a month, but Ramirez said the agency could increase the salaries of local coaches up to P100,000 depending on the performance of their athletes.

Ramirez also pointed out that the days of unproductive coaches are numbered as the PSC moves to increase the monthly allowances of coaches and athletes.

Ramirez also warned national sports associations with internal squabbles that they could lose funding if they do not get their acts together.

“We will handle the investigation and mediation. We will also inform their international federations and the Philippine Olympic Committee about the situation,” he said.

Based on Republic Act

No. 6847, or the law that created the PSC, the agency has the right to exercise supervisory and visitorial powers over the NSAs. The PSC funds the programs of the NSAs recognized by the POC and their IFs.