The Philippine Olympic Committee wants national athletes to move up to the next level and pass on their expertise to up-and-coming talents.
POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. yesterday said getting the athletes to participate in educating young national team hopefuls will accelerate the development of their respective sports.
“They will be encouraged to teach the fundamentals and pass on to others what they have learned as national athletes,” he said.
Cojuangco said that one of the programs of every national sports association this year is to bring its athletes to the countryside where they can serve as sport ambassadors.
Cojuangco said athletes would also be asked to take part in the Palarong Pambansa as coaches from the region where they come from. This will be possible once the Philippine Sports Commission takes over the multievent meet for elementary and high school athletes.
The POC has been lobbying for the transfer of the Palaro from the Department of Education to the government sports agency.
“Under the PSC, the accomplishments in the Palaro will have continuity since the top performers will be tapped for the developmental pool,” said Cojuangco.
The POC is also pushing for former medalists in the Olympics, Asian Games and world championships to pursue a career in coaching.
Meanwhile, Cojuangco said he would sit down with boxing’s pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao this weekend to discuss the availability of Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s conditioning coach.
The POC is seeking the assistance of Ariza to develop a program for every NSA.
