PSC chair says no regrets to controversial decisions

Outgoing Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping has no regrets in some of the controversial decisions he made during his 16-month stay as head of the government sports agency. “I have no regrets in the decisions I made in the PSC. I did the right thing and if given the chance, I will do the same thing all over again," said Angping who assumed the PSC chairmanship in February last year after William “Butch" Ramirez resigned. Angping found himself trading barbs with Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Peping Cojuangco in some of the delicate issues concerning both sports agencies, which include the financial support to the different National Sports Associations (NSAs) and the national athletes. His recent project – a tie up with La Salle – that will refurbish the old football field inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex as well as the establishment of a mall fronting the Rizal Memorial Track Oval, were also questioned by the POC. “Our goal was to make the venues under the PSC to be in good condition and I think 90% of our goal was achieved. Only the bowling and the living quarters are left out, but the rest are now playable and in better condition," explained Angping. He also justified his tough position on financial matters since he keeps track on the athletes’ performance the previous years. Their performances were evaluated whether they deserved to be sent or not in international competitions. “If we have money, it doesn’t mean we have to spend all of it even if the athletes are not capable of bringing home a bronze medal. Our records show that there are a lot of athletes whose performance have dipped. We would rather save the money for more important use," added Angping. Angping said the incoming PSC administration will benefit from the tight budget his administration implemented since they will have “more funds to spend for sports development." If ever Angping continues to stay in his position, his thrust this year is massive recruitment of players coming from different regions to beef up the deteriorating national pool. “We have made a new study on the current national pool and we found out that a number of them are good for one to two more years. I don’t see the NSAs conducting an honest to goodness recruitment program and if we don’t act this year, we might have little talent to rely on for the 2013 SEA Games," said Angping. - RCJ, GMANews.TV