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PSC vows to step up ahead of Asiad

By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno

May 30, 2023, 5:59 pm

<p><strong>UNITY FOR ATHLETES.</strong> Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioners (from left) Fritz Gaston and Bong Coo, chairman Richard Bachmann, and commissioner Edward Hayco do a unity gesture during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the PSC Press Conference Room, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Tuesday (May 30, 2023). The PSC officials have promised to go beyond just providing the funds for the national team ahead of the Asian Games. <em>(PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)</em></p>

UNITY FOR ATHLETES. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioners (from left) Fritz Gaston and Bong Coo, chairman Richard Bachmann, and commissioner Edward Hayco do a unity gesture during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the PSC Press Conference Room, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Tuesday (May 30, 2023). The PSC officials have promised to go beyond just providing the funds for the national team ahead of the Asian Games. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

MANILA – Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officials have promised to go beyond just providing the funds for the national team ahead of the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8.

PSC chairman Dickie Bachmann said commissioners Bong Coo, Fritz Gaston, Edward Hayco, and Walter Torres would first observe the sports they are tasked to oversee and make improvements.

“The key is for the commissioner in charge to understand the sport and how to improve the sport. Hindi tayo tagabigay lang ng pera (We're not just there to provide money). The PSC will step up,” Bachmann said Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC Conference Room at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Coo, Gaston, and Hayco were also present during the press conference, while Torres, the chef de mission for the ASEAN Para Games, is currently in Phnom Penh.

Among the improvements the PSC board looks to accomplish is bringing in new equipment like the ones physical therapists use to attend to athletes grimacing in pain, either through an injury or the wear and tear of their sports.

“We need ultrasound and laser machines. I didn’t find any. We should bring our own machines. We will make improvements for the coming Asian Games,” Bachmann said.

Coo, a hall of famer and former four-time bowling world champion, batted for new sporting facilities, as well.

“Dapat talaga ma-upgrade ang facilities natin para hindi na kailangan pumunta pa sila sa ibang lugar to hone their skills. Kailangan din more exposure lalu na yung sa high level (We really need to upgrade our facilities so the athletes need not go elsewhere to hone their skills. They also need more exposure, especially at the high level),” she said.

“We are athletes, we know their needs. We need to provide better and more competitive facilities. But we also have to be critical in terms of selection,” added Gaston, the latest addition to the PSC board. (PNA)

 

 

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