MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has released the list of approved personnel for detailed service (DS) to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as athletes and coaches prepare for the Tokyo Olympics and the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
"Nagpapasalamat kami kay (We would like to thank) Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana through the Office of the Chief of Special Service, AFP. Kasama namin ang POC at NSAs sa bagong detailed service na binigay (Philippine Olympic Committee and national sports associations are part of the new detailed service),” PSC Chairman William Ramirez said during the recent PSC Hour at Radyo Pilipinas Dos.
A total of 117 national athletes and coaches from 22 sports are enlisted military personnel including 13 in athletics, two in badminton, five in baseball, four in basketball, eight in boxing, nine in cycling, two in judo, one in kurash, five in lawn bowls, three in muay, one in obstacle course, six in rowing, five in sailing, one in sambo, 10 in sepak takraw, seven in softball, six in swimming, two in table tennis, two in triathlon, six in weightlifting, 12 in wrestling, and six in para sports.
There are 58 athletes under the Philippine Air Force (PAF), 19 from the Philippine Army (PA), and 40 serving the Philippine Navy (PN).
Ramirez highlighted the importance of enlisted national team members complying with the agreement between the PSC, AFP, POC, and the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC).
“Ipinaubaya sila sa (They have been entrusted to) sports through the Philippine Sports Commission. They don't just go fly anywhere without consulting us,” Ramirez said.
“Dapat maintindihan ito ng atleta na kapag miyembro sila ng Armed Forces at pinirmahan ni Secretary Lorenzana at ng kanilang mga officers, ipinagkatiwala sila sa amin. Karamihan sa kanila baka hindi alam na the Philippine Sports Commission takes responsibility para ma DS sila. Nagpapasalamat kami sa partnership na yan (The athletes should understand that if they are members of the Armed Forces and signed by Secretary Lorenzana and their officers, they are entrusted to us. Many of them may not aware that the PSC takes responsibility for their DS. We thank the partnership),” he added.
The PSC, POC, PPC, and the AFP will have a formal signing of the Memorandum of Agreement covering the “management, development, and training of identified and potential soldier-athletes" on May 20. (PR)
