7 NSAs commit to bring athletes to Iba training complex

POC President Peping Cojuangco. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The training center envisioned by Philippine Olympic Committee president Peping Cojuangco in Iba, Zambales, is taking shape with seven sports associations already committed to house their athletes there.

Cojuangco said they would bring these athletes to the Zambales Sports Complex and train them for a month or two in time for the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 19 to 31.

“I’m really hoping we can establish an honest-to-goodness training center in Zambales,” said Cojuangco during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Golden Phoenix Hotel.

Part of the need for a new training center comes from the potential sale of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Former Olympian and Makati City representative Monsour Del Rosario said Tuesday that the Philippine Sports Commission and Manila local government officials deferred action on the projected multibillion-peso deal until after the Kuala Lumpur Games.

“The last time I spoke to (PSC) Chairman Butch Ramirez, everything is on hold temporarily,” said Del Rosario, who supports the Zambales training center.

“I believe in a training camp. They should stay there and focus for two to three months and not worry about anything else,” said Del Rosario.

According to Tom Carrasco, Filipino athletes from karatedo, wushu, cycling, sepak takraw, pencak silat, triathlon and duathlon will be the first to step foot in the training facility.