MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is looking at China as the primary training hub for the national athletes next year.

PSC chairman Richie Garcia said they chose China because of the country’s good relationship with the first world country aside from the exposures the athlete can gain from training in the one of the sports powerhouses in the world.

Geographically and economicwise, Garcia said it is also more convenient to send athletes to different Chinese regions than in any other continents.

“There will be others who will train in other continents, but siguro most of the athletes will get foreign exposures in China,” Garcia said. Garcia said they might avail of the benefits of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) forged by the Philippines and China in the past.

The two nations signed an MoU in 2001, which allows the Philippines to seek technical assistance to China when it comes to sports. The MoU was forged when PSC was then chaired by Eric Buhain.

In 2007, former PSC chair William “Butch” Ramirez renewed the agreement with China, paving the way for the Chinese Sports Ministry to approve the 15-month long training of selected athletes for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“Kung expired na (MoU), we can amend it. Pero kung hindi pa, we should have a new one,” Garcia said. “Matutulungan tayo ng ambassador kung saan magandang magtraining.”

Aside from China, Cuba is also willing to help train the athletes, particularly in boxing where it is known to be one of the best.

Garcia said the PSC will still send athletes to other regions, particularly in Europe, but only when needed.

“Paisa-isa lang siguro yung ipapadala natin sa Europe kasi masyadong mahal. Kung individually talented naman yung atleta at kailangang mag-training doon, we will give him or her that opportunity,” Garcia said.

The PSC will meet with Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) officials starting January to start their identification of athletes for the Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia next year.

The sports agency will also look into the nutrition and physical fitness of the athletes starting next month.

Kristel Satumbaga, Manila Bulletin