PSC gets full backing from NSAs

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) got the assurance from national sports associations (NSAs) that preparations for the coming Southeast Asian Games would be done as seamlessly as possible.

PSC Chair Butch Ramirez said every NSA they met during the budget hearings committed to efficiently carry out the country’s hosting of the biennial Games.

“During our meetings with the NSAs, everybody is preparing for the SEA Games,” said Ramirez.

“Some of them encounter problems like disputes, but assured they are focused on giving the country a successful hosting,” added Ramirez.

A total of 520 events from 56 sports have been penciled in the Games slated  Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, the fourth time that the Philippines has secured the hosting.

Aside from hosting every sport included in the calendar, the NSAs are also fixated on cornering most of the gold medals for the country to nail its second overall title in the history of the SEAG.

The Philippines captured its first overall title during the Manila hosting of the meet in 2005.

Also crucial for the hosting of each NSA is the availability of the equipment during the Games.

“How can you proceed with the hosting if there are no equipment,” said Ramirez.

The PSC chief is the most seasoned top-level official in the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), having served as chef de mission in the 2005 Games while he concurrently functioned as chair of the government sports agency.

Ramirez now co-chairs the Phisgoc with Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Other plans include tapping Filipino-American global superstar Bruno Mars to perform on opening day and the hiring of a Spanish firm as the lead broadcaster to raise the level of coverage.

At least three domestic stations will also have rights to cover, especially the opening and closing ceremonies.