Creation of National Amateur Sports Training Center sought

A lawmaker is pushing for the establishment of a state-of-the-art and highly

scientific sports complex that will serve as the training center for national athletes.
Rep. Anthony G. Del Rosario (
st
District! Davao del "orte# introduced $ouse %ill
&'()! to be known as the "ational Amateur *ports +raining ,enter Act of -(&! which
appropriates .- billion for the construction of the sports complex. +he amount shall come
from the "ational +reasury.
Del Rosario said sports champions are born out of three contributory factors!
namely! training environment that is conducive to psychological and physical
preparations! a support system that is holistic and nurturing and ade/uate international
exposures where /uality of performances are assessed and measures of skills are tested.
01ur expectations must be coupled with support and action. 2f we want a brighter
future for .hilippine sports! we must find ways to improve the competitive edge of our
athletes because we owe it to our national athletes to give all the best possible training
opportunities so they can excel in international competitions!3 Del Rosario said.
01ne ma4or step towards the reali5ation of this goal is through the establishment of
a sports training center with a substantial space to accommodate all sports! located in a
thinly populated area so the athletes can focus on the training and be free from
distractions! has state-of-the-art training e/uipment and technologies! and capable of
hosting ade/uate number of dormitories with modern amenities!3 Del Rosario stressed.
According to Del Rosario! the 6)-year old Ri5al 7emorial *ports ,omplex
(R7*,# has served as the training and living /uarters for national athletes for the longest
time.
0+he R7*, is the biggest sports complex in the country and the main facility for
the development and promotion of grassroots sports as well as multi-sectoral sporting
activities. 2t is ill-e/uipped with new technologies for high level sports training
considering that its facilities are age-old!3 Del Rosario said.
$owever! with its location at the heart of the ,ity of 7anila and all the noise and air
pollution! the R7*, has ceased to become an ideal environment for the well-being of the
athletes! Del Rosario added.
Del Rosario also noted that the .*, dutifully supports the national athletes through
provision of ade/uate training e/uipment! free use of training facilities and monthly
stipends! among others! but these efforts have not been enough to make up the whole
NR # 3586
SEPT. 11, 2014
process of producing champions.
08hat is critical and most important is giving the athlete an access to an
environment that can provide advanced and scientific trainings. 9nfortunately! R7*,
falls short of the re/uirement!3 Del Rosario said.
9nder the measure! a %oard shall be created to expedite the implementation of
establishing and construction of the ,enter! ensuring the compliance with all the safety
standards and construction laws and its technicalities as well as complying with the
re/uirements of international standards in building sports facilities.
+he board is composed of the .hilippine *ports ,ommission (.*,# as chairman!
Department of .ublic 8orks and $ighways (D.8$# as co-chairman! .hilippine 1lympic
,ommittee (.1,#! :ocal Government 9nit (:G9# and Department of %udget and
7anagement (D%7# as members.
+he proposed establishment of a national amateur sports training center complete
with necessary sports facilities and amenities that are at par with international standards
shall be constructed within a period of 6 months and after a period of planning not
exceeding six months upon effectivity of the measure.
+he site must be suitable and conducive to high-level training of athletes and
preferably located at the outskirts of the metropolis! free from moral obstruction! noise
and air pollution.
+o finance the maintenance! operation and management of the ,enter one year upon
completion of construction and operation! the amount of .;; million is also appropriated
in addition to the general fund allocated for the 7aintenance and 1perating <xpenses
(711<# of the .*, under the GAA.
=urther! all incidental income that may be derived by the ,ommission in its
management and operation shall form part of the "ational *ports Development =und
("*D=#! which shall be used solely by the .*, for the maintenance! operation and
management of the facilities in the "ational Amateur *ports +raining ,enter.
+he ,enter shall be exempt from the payment of real estate tax! stamp tax!
amusement tax! income tax and or other form of taxes on the properties. (>(# jsc