PSC chair wants early training for PHL athletes

National athletes will start their training in January to ensure that they are in competitive form in time for the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia next year.

The 2011 SEA Games will be held in the South Sumatra Province of Palembang from November 11 to 25. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia said the athletes will have a short holiday break, since he wants to see better results in the SEAG. "By starting their training early, I believe the athletes will be better prepared. No more excuses that they did not have the proper training and that’s why they failed to deliver. With early preparation, I do believe that we will have a better performance compared to the Laos SEA Games," said Garcia. The Philippines finished fifth overall in the 2009 Laos SEA Games, winning 38 gold, 35 silver and 51 bronze medals. Thailand was the overall champion, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Officials and athletes of all competing National Sports Associations (NSAs) blamed the poor result on the lack of support by former PSC chairman Harry Angping. Garcia said his administration’s priority is to support the national athletes. The PSC has set aside P400-million to fund the training of qualified athletes to the SEA Games. Aside from the SEA Games, a number of the NSAs will also send their athletes to a number of qualifying events for the 2012 London Olympics. PAGCOR and the private sector will again be the PSC’s main sources of funds. Garcia is also planning to revive the country’s sports ties with China and Cuba, so that potential world-class athletes can train in those countries and use their facilities. "The POC and PSC are now in a harmonious relationship, and I hope this will inspire our athletes to do well in their training," added Garcia.. The POC is also planning to create a pool of 80 athletes that will form the core of the national delegation in Indonesia. – JVP, KY, GMANews.TV