Outstanding athletes in the Palarong Pambansa have something to look forward to.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Butch Ramirez announced that the top performers of the Palaro, beginning with this year’s edition in Davao City, would be groomed to play in overseas tournaments.
Ramirez said the chosen athletes would undergo training under the auspices of the PSC and Department of Education (DepEd) after the biggest national games for student athletes in the elementary and high school levels on April 28 to May 4.
“They will be handled by accredited coaches,” Ramirez said. “These outstanding athletes will then be sent to compete in Asean (Southeast Asia) and Asian meets.”
The PSC and DepEd have formed a partnership to discover and nurture sporting talents from the Palaro.
Both government agencies will also collaborate with local government units nationwide, the Department of Health, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education and Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“We feel that there’s something lacking, so we will be partnering with them to forge grassroots program in sports,” said Ramirez.
The Batang Pinoy and Children’s Games are other sources of talents.