Some NSAs cool to Russian training

SOME national sports associations are reluctant to bring their athletes to Russia and train there for a long period of time.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia revealed this yesterday even as he encouraged NSAs not to waste the opportunity opened by the sports-funding agency’s deal with the sports ministry of Russia allowing Filipino athletes to hone their skills in one of the world’s top sporting countries.

Garcia, who announced the agreement with Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko during the Philippine Olympic Committee meeting on Wednesday, said the responsibility of exploring and cashing in on the sports pact  rests solely with the NSAs.

“It will open the doors for the NSAs. The MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Russia is ready to be implemented and they could send their athletes there anytime,” said Garcia.

While refusing to name the reluctant NSAs, observers said judo, weightlifting, gymnastics, shooting, boxing and wrestling should benefit from the tie-up since Russia has been a consistent Olympic medal-earner in these disciplines.

The MOU covers the training of athletes, knowledge transfer for coaches, exchange of ideas and programs on sports medicine and science and use of Russia’s ultramodern sports facilities.

“The PSC is ready to support them. We’re doing everything to provide the best for our athletes. Let’s take advantage of the MOU,” said Garcia.