Rizal, PhilSports won’t be white elephants

Once the refurbishment of facilities inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) and PhilSports are completed, the benefits will go a long way for the national athletes beyond the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair William “Butch” Ramirez said sprucing up of these government facilities would entice local and international tournaments from various sports, with the proceeds to be used to address the needs of Filipino athletes.

“We will use the proceeds from the rental to improve the living conditions of the athletes, their nutrition, dormitories and allowances,” Ramirez said.

Upon completion, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside RMSC in Manila and the Multi-Purpose Arena in PhilSports, Pasig City can be the home again for collegiate tournaments such as the UAAP and NCAA and commercial leagues like the Philippine Basketball Association.

The unveiling of these venues, which include PSC-controlled facilities inside the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City, would be done on or before Nov. 15, two weeks before the SEA Games gets underway.

The Rizal Memorial Coliseum has been going through restoration in accordance to the plan of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, which identified the entire complex as a national historical landmark.

Funding for the renovation came from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., which handed P845 million to the PSC.