The Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list on Tuesday lauded San Miguel Corporation for its commitment to build a P50 million sports center in Balayan, Batangas, for the development of homegrown athletes.
“We welcome SMC’s commitment to sports development and thank Mr. Ramon Ang for his generosity. This planned sports center is sure to jumpstart our efforts to revitalize sports in the new normal,” PBA Party-list spokesperson Atty. Migs Nograles said.
SMC recently completed construction of the SMC Sports Complex, its new sports facility in Pasig designed and built for the company’s three professional basketball teams in the Philippine Basketball Association: the San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings, and Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.
“The sports facility that SMC is planning to build will help address the lack of modern and high-quality training facilities, equipment, and sports venues. This could be the starting point for the development of sports centers in strategic areas in the country to decentralize sports development – at least one each for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. We would be able to attract more talents from more areas in the country, even the far-flung ones,” she added.
The Davaoeña lawyer also stressed the need to enhance the government’s partnership with various sectors involved in sports.
“Public-private partnerships is key in developing our athletes. Without the support of the private sector, our athletes who have made it to the world stage would not be where they are now. The government meanwhile needs to come up with a comprehensive national sports program,” she said.
Moreover, Nograles reiterated the need for a dedicated Cabinet-level agency that will provide leadership in the promotion and development of sports in the country and set the parameters to address the needs of athletes, coaches, trainers, and sports officials.
“We need a centralized agency that will initiate and promote a nationwide grassroots-based sports development program, which can help widen the scope of the Palarong Pambansa and other national sports competitions,” she said.
The Davaoeña lawyer also stressed the need to enhance the government’s partnership with various sectors involved in sports.
“Sports is an integral factor in nation building and we are grateful and happy that the private sector, particularly SMC, recognizes this. We hope that more will follow the lead of SMC,” she added.
SMC recently completed construction of the SMC Sports Complex, its new sports facility in Pasig designed and built for the company’s three professional basketball teams in the Philippine Basketball Association: the San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings, and Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok. The complex has three air-conditioned main basketball courts covering a total of 5,013 square meters.
