PH athletes served food for their specific needs

Filipino athletes in the national pool can now follow a diet that ensures the best nutrition for their respective disciplines.

And they have the Philippine Sports Commission to thank for this.

The government sports agency has opened a nutrition hall at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where 500 athletes from various sports will initially be served.

Philippine Sports Institute national training director Marc Edward Velasco said it would eventually serve all the athletes under the national team once improvements have been made.

“There were a lot of challenges along the way, but this is a promise that PSC Chair William Ramirez made sure he would keep,” said Velasco.

He pointed out that most, if not all, athletes will have to follow a specific diet in the long run based on the requirements needed for maximum performance in their sport.

“Right now, it’s a work in progress. We’re still in the stage of developing the capability of the nutrition hall to better serve our athletes,” said Velasco, who also functions as PSC senior executive assistant.

“Athletes and coaches included in the national pool will eventually be scheduled a specific diet based on their requirements as assessed by nutritionists,” added Velasco.

The PSC Nutrition Unit, headed by Jane Serapion, will conduct the biometrics registration and nutrition assessment of athletes.

Open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, the nutrition hall will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner plus morning and afternoon snacks.

“This is good for our athletes, especially after training,” said pencak silat national coach Chris Yabut, whose athletes were among those who first experienced the benefits of the nutrition hall during its opening Friday last week.