PSC partners with PRISAA on grassroots sports

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann and Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Chairman Rev. Fr. Vicente Uy formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in strengthening the agency’s grassroots sports initiative.

Both parties sealed the partnership on Friday, during the 2024 PRISAA National Congress held at the University of Sto. Tomas in Legazpi City, Albay where this year’s PRISAA National Games will take place.

“We recognize the pivotal role that organizations like PRISAA play in shaping the landscape of Philippine sports. Their commitment to providing a platform for young talents to compete, learn, and grow, through the PRISAA National Games, is commendable,” said Bachmann.

Under the agreement, PRISAA in collaboration with the PSC, shall initiate the conduct of training courses and lectures for technical officials and coaches under the PRISAA system with the help of national sports associations.

Among these programs are Talent Identification, Adopt an Athlete Initiative, and Certification Courses for PRISAA coaches and technical officials.

On the other hand, the sports agency shall create a Technical Working Group (TWG) for the implementation of these grassroots sports initiatives and take necessary steps to ensure the sustainability of projects.

“This partnership is significant for PRISAA. This will pave the way for us to closely collaborate with PSC in empowering our grassroots program of different regions nationwide,” said National Vice Chairman Rev. Fr. Jessie Pasquin, further thanking the PSC on the partnership.

Also joining Bachmann to the ceremonial mutual agreement were PSC Commissioner Edward Hayco, who oversees the agency’s grassroots sports development program, and PSC Executive Director Paulo Francisco Tatad.

“As we begin this partnership, we aspire to build a comprehensive and inclusive sports ecosystem that nurtures talent from the grassroots level upward. The PSC needs platforms like this to help us find the next athlete, to grow sports, and to help fix training facilities,” Bachmann concluded.