Developmental pool won't get PSC's assistance for now

Turn to the private sector for help. This is the unsolicited advice of Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ricardo Garcia to those national sports associations (NSAs) seeking additional funds for their respective grassroots development programs this year. The head of the government sports agency said they will concentrate on taking care of athletes who are already in the national team and in the national training pool. “We have to set aside muna yung national developmental pool. Dito muna tayo sa training pool at sa national team. Dito muna tayo mag-concentrate outside of the grassroots programs," said Garcia, who announced this during the agency’s 21st founding anniversary Monday. Garcia said there are around 650 athletes who are listed in the national pool, and the national sports associations are requesting for the inclusion of more members. Due to its limited budget, the PSC has to reduce the number of athletes it can support this year. Garcia added that support from the private sector will enable the NSAs to provide the nutritional needs and allowances of the developmental athletes. “We have come up with a policy, and this does not cover developmental athletes. The NSAs can ask the private sector for help," explained Garcia. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV