National sports complex site not a lock

Contrary to news reports, Rosales, Pangasinan, is NOT the final choice as site of the Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC).

So clarified Chair William Ramirez of the Philippine Sports Commission that will own and take charge of the P3.5-billion complex and Abono party list Rep. Conrado Estrella III, who shepherded the passage of the law that will build it.

Republic Act No. 11214 was signed into law by President Duterte recently.

Officials of Rosales, incidentally Estrella’s hometown, are ready to spend every waking moment to make the PSTC a reality. But they know their municipality will have to contend and compete with Baguio City and Clark Field, the other potential locations.

If Rosales gets the nod to host the ultra modern PSTC to replace the 85-year old Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila and the outdated PhilSport Complex in Pasig City, Estrella already has a location in Rosales in mind.

Estrella said he wants the construction area close to his vest to prevent real estate speculators from running berserk. The site would be bigger than the 20 hectares reported by media.

The PSTC will bring modern training facilities, methods and techniques to Filipino athletes who participate in global competitions, said Estrella recently.

Since the center will be a feather in Pangasinan’s cap if built in its eastern part, the candidates for governor of the progressive province issued garden variety political statements Wednesday.

“I’m a strong believer in the power of sports in nation building,” said Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste, a long-time Estrella ally. “The project will become an avenue for all athletes, especially the Pangasinenses among them to showcase their skills in their chosen sports.”

Celeste’s foe in the May elections, incumbent Gov. Amado Espino III, said the PSTC “will be a big boost to our province since we have been upgrading our sports program not only to get the youth away from illegal drugs but to hone them to be competitive in the national and international sports competitions.”

Espino said the “new sports complex designed to international standards will complement the existing Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen, where big sporting events are held and where the Pangasinan Sports Academy is located.”