‘NRSCC – Region’s center of excellence’ – PSC Chair

LINGAYEN --- Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Harry Angping called the Provincial-owned Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) as the “center of excellence for Region I” for its world class facilities fit for training athletes who has potential to capture medals in international sports competition.

With this, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. announced during the closing rites of the 2009 MILO-National Open track and field championships Tuesday night that the NRSCC will be happy to host the National Open track and field championships every year.

Chairman Angping confirmed the governor’s pronouncement saying “may usapan na po kami na magkakaroon ng tripartite agreement among the Province of Pangasinan, Dagupan City and PSC to make the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center the center of excellence for Region I.”

Angping said under the program, the promising athletes in Region I will be trained at the NRSCC with ample financial support from the PSC, Province and Dagupan City.

Under the new administration of Chairman Angping, the region’s new recruits who have “medal potentials” will also be receiving monthly stipends from PSC like the regular members of the national team.

“Kami po sa PSC ay magbibigay ng stipend o allowances sa mga atleta. Sa bagong policy sa administration ni Chairman Harry Angping, pati yung mga incoming talents o bagong recruits ay bibigyan din natin ng stipends with the approval of the governor and the mayor. Sila ang magsi-select kung sinong mga talents, mga potential athletes ang bibigyan natin ng allowances,” Angping disclosed.

With this kind of program, Angping said that the country’s ace athletes will have better chances of capturing more medals in international competitions such as the 2009 SEA Games in Laos, 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China and 2012 Olympics in London.

Angping thanked Gov. Espino and Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez for providing some 1,500 athletes and coaches with warm hospitality, decent accommodations and efficient staff.

He advised the delegates to visit the Capitol Building before going back to their respective provinces.

“Sa mga atleta at coaches, bago po kayo umuwi, advise ko sa inyo dumaan kayo sa Kapitolyo. Mga five minutess away from here. You will see perhaps, para sa standard ko, ang the most beautiful provincial capitol in the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.

Angping said that Pangasinenses should be proud of that building saying “yan po ang nagdadala ng dignidad at respect.” (PIO/Ninia F. Nicolas)