Lack of cash delays POC training center plan

MANILA, Philippines—Until a new training center is built, the national athletes will have to make do with the old training facility in Baguio City being maintained by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“Since it would take time and money to put up a new training center, we agreed to develop the sports facility in Baguio City first,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. after a recent meeting with President Aquino.

While Cojuangco said the President agreed to his proposal to build an exclusive training center for athletes in Clark Field, Pampanga, the project remained in the planning stage due to financial concerns.

Cojuangco said they would begin transferring sports like taekwondo, archery, shooting and other combat disciplines from the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and the Philsports Complex in Pasig City to high-altitude Baguio.

“We can make arrangements with the schools there [in Baguio],” said Cojuangco. “The athletes will be encouraged to divide their time for school and training.”

The PSC maintains a track oval and several dormitories for athletes and coaches inside the Teachers Camp in Baguio City. Boxers and track and field athletes train there year-round.

In his meeting with the President, Cojuangco said he pointed out that the countries which excel in sports have state-of-the-art facilities to nurture their athletes.

“All the leaders in sports here in Asia have a training center of their own,” said Cojuangco, referring to Olympic powerhouse China, South Korea and Japan.

“Inside the training center, all the needs of the athletes will be addressed to keep them sharp and competitive for international competitions,” said Cojuangco.