1PACMAN representative Mikee Romero is looking to put together P1 billion seed money from the top sportsmen in the country to help in the construction of a training center in Clark.
Romero said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday that he will urge the private sector to pool funds in order to finally achieve plans to construct a new training center for national athletes.
Romero mentioned his fellow owners in the PBA in Ramon Ang of San Miguel, Manny V. Pangilinan of the MVP Group of Companies, and Wilfred Steven Uytengsu of Alaska, and San Miguel chairman Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuanco and Jean Henri Lhuillier of Cebuana Lhuillier as prospective patrons.
“This would be a joint undertaking by the government and the private sector,” said Romero. “Marami naman tayong sponsors and patrons. Let’s pull them together to create siguro mga P1 billion seed money and partner with the government to put up those infrastractures.”
Romero, who was recently elected as representative through the party list system, said it’s about time to have a new training center that would replace the ageing Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and transfer the athletes to Clark.
Romero is looking at getting a 50 to 100-hectare land at Clark for the training center.
“Wala tayong infrastructure. Outdated na ‘yung mga training centers natin. Parang sa medicine lang ‘yan. Kung gagamit ka ng equipment 30 years ago for cancer, patay na ‘yung pasyente,” said Romero.
Romero is advocating the creation of the Department of Sports that will put sports in the cabinet level of government, adding that the plan has the support of President Duterte.
“It’s about time. Sabi nga ni President Duterte, change is coming. Paano naman tayo sa sports? Is change coming?” said Romero.