PATAFA’s grassroots programs get huge boost

The Philippines will make the most out of the annual subsidy granted by World Athletics to boost its grassroots programs.

Philip Ella Juico, president of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa), said the World Athletics Olympic dividend project has helped the national federation in training young athletes as well as organizing competitions to discover new talents for the team.“We will continue with the World Athletics Olympic dividend project. This is essentially a grassroots project involving the youth,’’ Juico said.

World Athletics, formerly known as the International Association of Athletics Federations, offers $25,000 (roughly P1.2 million) every year to each member federation for the latter’s development.

According to Juico, the funding from the world governing body in track and field aided the weekly relays that Patafa had organized with the help of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) prior to the enhanced community quarantine brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We have strengthened the funding support for the weekly relays,’’ said Juico, a former PSC chair.

Held at PhilSports track and field oval in Pasig City, the Patafa weekly relays have identified more talents in the sport as it opens the door for local tracksters wanting to carry the national colors in overseas competitions.The week relays likewise serve as a gauge for improvement among the members of the national pool that bolstered the country’s success in the 30th Southeast Asian Games last year. INQ