PSC eyes Tayabas City for regional training center

By Nimfa L. Estrellado Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Patrick Gregorio (PSC) TAYABAS CITY, Quezon - Aspiring athletes in Quezo...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Patrick Gregorio (PSC)

TAYABAS CITY, Quezon - Aspiring athletes in Quezon province may soon have a world-class training ground close to home, as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has identified Tayabas City as a potential site for a new regional training center. This initiative aims to provide aspiring athletes in the Southern Luzon region with a local, world-class training ground, thereby boosting grassroots sports development.

Among the places being considered for regional training centers are Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Clark in Pampanga, Ormoc City in Leyte, and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, as well as urbanized areas in Mindanao like Bukidnon, Zamboanga City, and General Santos City. PSC Chairperson Patrick Gregorio on Friday, August 8, said there is also a plan to build a water sports training center in Siargao, one of the popular surfing destinations in the south.



"We must develop these centers to give young athletes an equal chance of honing their talents and avoid them being taken away from their families." he said.

This move is part of a broader push by the commission to decentralize sports development and discover talent outside of major metropolitan areas. Establishing these hubs will allow the PSC to create a more equitable system where athletes from the provinces have the same opportunities for professional training and support as their counterparts in the capital.

"There is already a directive from the Office of the President to put up regional training centers. It is now all about creating a framework which will work for both the PSC and the stakeholders." he added.

Gregorio also stressed a targeted, sport-specific approach for each center. He explained that in addition to support from local government and schools, these provinces must cater to a sport they are known for.

"For example, Zamboanga has plenty of weightlifters because of Hidilyn Diaz, so the city should serve as the key training center for that sport, much like Muay Thai in Baguio City, or boxing in Cagayan de Oro and GenSan, or football in Bacolod," he said.

The proposed center is expected to have a significant impact on aspiring athletes in Quezon and the entire CALABARZON region. It will provide them with access to world-class facilities and coaching, and pave the way for future national and international champions.

The provincial government of Quezon, through its Provincial Sports Office, has already expressed a strong commitment to grassroots sports, aligning with the PSC's vision. The office's mission is to "make sports accessible to all Quezonian" and to bring sports to the people, rather than the other way around.

This existing framework of local sports programs and the dedication to identifying and nurturing local talent make Tayabas City a compelling choice for a regional training center. Partnering with the PSC, Quezon province can leverage its current efforts to create a more structured and professional development pathway for its athletes.

The new center would also complement the efforts of the DepEd Tayabas City Schools Division. The division already runs a comprehensive school sports program that focuses on developing physical literacy and character through sports.

The partnership between the national government, provincial government, and the education sector would create a robust ecosystem for athletic excellence in the region, ensuring a continuous pipeline of talent from the school level to national competitions.