PSC eyes more BMX facilities to boost grassroots program
Published Jul 16, 2023 06:05 am
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann stressed the importance of strengthening the grassroots program for BMX racing and freestyle in hopes of discovering the untapped potential of Filipino riders.
*The Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann (right) and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (PhilCycling's photo)*
Bachmann was in attendance when Filipino BMX racers Patrick Coo and Daniel Caluag competed in the Asian BMX Championships here at the Tagaytay BMX Park on Sunday, July 16. “It’s the grassroots. Introducing the sports to each LGU and hopefully we can aptly build more pools of athletes. We do have cyclists here that we can actually convert to BMX and mountain bikes,” said Bachmann who was also joined by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. Bachmann, who was impressed by the BMX park as well as the newly refurbished Tagaytay Combat Sports Center, said that the PSC is looking to work hand-in-hand with local government units to build such facilities and boost the country’s sports grassroots program. “I remember the old BMX, skateboard facility but now it was actually so much better, may BMX, may skateboard and now they have a combat facility, multi-purpose which is also very, very nice and which also helps athletes and other sports,” said Bachmann. “You notice yung facilities with the athletics and swimming and a few more pero all the other sports kulang na kulang so we have to pinpoint yung mga ibang LGU na can actually afford and PSC is also willing to help out and build the facilities. It has to be a coordination with LGU,” he explained. Aside from that, the public’s mentality towards the less popular sports like the BMX must also change by properly introducing the sport and the opportunities that come with it. “We have to introduce them to other sports and to make them feel that they can represent the country in other sports as well. You can also earn a living by other sports, information lang ba to introduce it to them properly,” he added.
*The Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann (right) and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (PhilCycling's photo)*
Bachmann was in attendance when Filipino BMX racers Patrick Coo and Daniel Caluag competed in the Asian BMX Championships here at the Tagaytay BMX Park on Sunday, July 16. “It’s the grassroots. Introducing the sports to each LGU and hopefully we can aptly build more pools of athletes. We do have cyclists here that we can actually convert to BMX and mountain bikes,” said Bachmann who was also joined by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. Bachmann, who was impressed by the BMX park as well as the newly refurbished Tagaytay Combat Sports Center, said that the PSC is looking to work hand-in-hand with local government units to build such facilities and boost the country’s sports grassroots program. “I remember the old BMX, skateboard facility but now it was actually so much better, may BMX, may skateboard and now they have a combat facility, multi-purpose which is also very, very nice and which also helps athletes and other sports,” said Bachmann. “You notice yung facilities with the athletics and swimming and a few more pero all the other sports kulang na kulang so we have to pinpoint yung mga ibang LGU na can actually afford and PSC is also willing to help out and build the facilities. It has to be a coordination with LGU,” he explained. Aside from that, the public’s mentality towards the less popular sports like the BMX must also change by properly introducing the sport and the opportunities that come with it. “We have to introduce them to other sports and to make them feel that they can represent the country in other sports as well. You can also earn a living by other sports, information lang ba to introduce it to them properly,” he added.