The Philippine Sports Commission has welcomed the proposal of the Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association to hold the first Western Visayas Sports Congress that aims to strengthen grassroots sports programs in the region.

PSC commissioner Eric Loretizo assured WVPRISAA officials, led by University of St. La Salle varsity sports director Roger Banzuela, of support during the opening ceremonies of the regional private school's meet, which he keynoted in Kalibo, Aklan last week.

Loretizo said the sports agency is capable of extending technical support, including the planning of sports programs, which are also in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's 10 focus sports.

Among the 10 focus sports includes individual events like boxing, weightlifting, swimming, diving, cycling, wushu, taekwondo, athletics and bowling. These sports disciplines have been considered as top medal prospects in international competitions, especially the Southeast Asian Games, the Asian Games and the Olympics.

Loretizo said the proposed congress will be part of the PSC's plan that, it hopes, would lead to the country's first-ever gold medal in the Olympics.

The sports commissioner said he has even broached the idea to a school in Kalibo to adapt a program for weightlifting and boxing.

He pointed out that weightlifting can be a potential producer of gold medals in international competitions. He cited Thailand, which has won two Olympic golds in weightlifting's lighter divisions.

“Come to think of it, Filipinos have similar built with Thais. With good training programs, there's a good chance we can also do it,” he said.*CPT

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