PBBM, FIRST LADY LEAD REOPENING OF PHILSPORTS COMPLEX IN PASIG CITY

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos on Wednesday led the reopening of the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City, reaffirming the government’s support for Filipino athletes and for the promotion of sports among the youth.

President Marcos expressed pride in the rehabilitation work done on PhilSports Complex and thanked the First Lady for spearheading the project which began in July this year.

“To see these new facilities, these new arrangements that you have done for our athletes is something that brings a great deal of joy to my heart because our athletes really should be supported,” the President said in his remarks.

The Chief Executive emphasized the importance of sports on the national and personal levels – bringing glory and fostering unity to the country and developing personal discipline and strength of character.

“I have always said it, and I think you may have heard me say it so many times, how important I consider sports for very, very many things. Not only the glory it brings to our country, the pride it brings to every Filipino,” said President Marcos.

“And that’s so important. And it also brings the country together. Because walang Pilipino na hindi kakampi sa Olympian nation o sa athlete natin na lumalaban.”

President Marcos said he asked Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman John Patrick Gregorio to bring sports back to schools, underscoring how sports build character by teaching sacrifice, discipline, and teamwork.

“We will continue to bring pride to the Philippines. We will continue to inspire young people. And we will continue to support that inspiration by saying, we are here, the government is here, we are working to make sure that you have all that you need para maging maganda naman, maging matagumpay ang inyong mga maging competition kahit saan man kayo pumunta,” said the President.

A brainchild of former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, PhilSports Complex was formerly known as ULTRA or University of Life Training and Recreational Area when it was opened in 1985.

It aimed to provide a world-class facility for the training of national athletes and to serve as a major sports hub.

Considered as one of the country’s premier national sports centers, PhilSports Complex offers a competition venue and residential and recovery facilities.

The facility has not only been a national training hub, but also served as a venue for cultural, athletic, and entertainment events, as well as a shelter during disasters and emergencies.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, President Marcos and the First Lady together with other officials and guests inspected the renovated facilities, namely the National Athletic Center, Dormitory H and the National Sports Museum Building.

The rehabilitation of the PhilSports Complex was in time for the Philippines’ hosting of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup scheduled from November 21 to December 7.

The facility is managed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

It has four main sports facilities: PhilSports Multi-Purpose Arena, PhilSports Swimming Center, PhilSports Football and Athletics Stadium, and the Athlete dormitories.

The athletes’ dormitories consist of 10 buildings that house national athletes.