Former scribe Piñol urges sports officials to focus on grassroots

Focus on homegrown talents rather than relying on imports.

That was the message  of Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol when he delivered the keynote speech in the 2017 SMC-Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards night Tuesday at Manila Hotel.

Piñol, a former sportswriter, columnist, and boxing analyst, urged the in Philippine sports authorities to put their focus on honing homegrown talents in hopes of being a power again in the international stage.

“The PSC and POC should concentrate on developing homegrown talents. But like in agriculture, there should be a roadmap to tackle this development,” he said.

This roadmap, Piñol said, is essential in pinpointing where direction Philippine sports will go to in the next years.

“We don’t only look for tomorrow’s needs, but we need to look at what needs to be done for the future,” he said.

Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol was the guest speaker at the 2018 PSA Awards night. Photo by Trsitan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Piñol was the guest of honor in the annual awards for Philippine sports, where 2017 World 9-Ball champion Carlo Biado, 2017 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup women’s titleholder Krizziah Lyn Tabora, and International Boxing Federation superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas were feted as the Athletes of the Year.

Also among the 105 honorees were Mr. Basketball June Mar Fajardo, Mr. Volleyball Marck Espejo, Ms. Volleyball Dawn Macandili, Mr. Golf Clyde Mondilla, NSA of the Year Triathlon Association of the Philippines, Executives of the Year Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Corporation and Ernesto Echauz of Standard Insurance, and the 2023 Fiba World Cup bid team led by SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan which received the President’s Award.