A stronger gymnastics program in the Philippines is needed if the country is to replicate the success of the likes of Carlos Yulo and Bea Lucero, the Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list said Saturday.
PBA Party-list spokesperson Atty. Migs Nograles issued the statement as the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) opened its National Gymnastics Center in Intramuros, Manila.
“Now that we have a world-class gymnastics center, maybe it’s also high time we invest in world-class coaches to strengthen our domestic gymnastics program.”
The new facility will serve as the training ground for Yulo and other members of the national team.
“Now that we have a world-class gymnastics center, maybe it’s also high time we invest in world-class coaches to strengthen our domestic gymnastics program. That way, hindi na kailangan pang lumabas ng bansa ng athletes natin to train,” Nograles said.
Nograles urged the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the GAP to get foreign gymnastics coaches who will train not only the athletes but also the local coaches.
“If we want to have another Carlos Yulo or Bea Lucero, then we should also level up the quality of gymnastics in the country. And the best way to do that is to learn from those who know the sport best,” she added.
The Davaoeña lawyer also said she hopes gymnastics would be given more focus in future Palarong Pambansa Games.
“The Palaro is one of the best venues to discover more world-class talents like Carlos Yulo. Giving more emphasis to gymnastics in the Palarong Pambansa would lessen the burden of having to scout for talents for the sport,” she said.
Yulo is a product of PSC’s Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games programs. He honed his talent and skills inside the gymnastics center at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The Davaoeña lawyer also said she hopes gymnastics would be given more focus in future Palarong Pambansa Games.
He captured the gold medal in the men’s vault and silver in parallel bars at the 2021 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Japan last October.
In the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held in Manila, the 22-year-old bagged two gold medals in the floor and all-around events and claimed five silvers in the pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar.
Bea Lucero, meanwhile, won two golds, and three silver medals in the 1987 SEA Games held in Jakarta.
