Manila: The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) are exploring ways to enhance their collaboration by potentially including more Olympic sports in the collegiate league calendar. This initiative is part of their commitment to support the country's national sports development agenda, following a meeting between the UAAP Board and PSC chairperson Patrick "Pato" Gregorio.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PSC chief highlighted a gap in the athletic development pipeline. After participating in grassroots programs like Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa, many athletes often transition to sports not offered in college competitions, disrupting both their competitive careers and academic progression. The current UAAP calendar includes sports such as basketball, badminton, athletics, and others, but there is potential for expansion.
Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM, Adamson University vice president for student affairs and UAAP finance committee chair, indicated that the PSC is open to supporting the inclusion of more Olympic disciplines. He noted that the financial burden of adding new events has historically been a barrier, but with the PSC's backing, new Olympic-aligned sports could be introduced.
The PSC has suggested events like weightlifting and shooting, which could yield medals quickly. Suan also pointed to Japan's university sports structure as a successful model, where over 60 percent of Olympic athletes come from college programs, illustrating the potential benefits of a similar setup in the Philippines.
UAAP executive director, lawyer Rene Saguisag Jr., emphasized the league's role in providing opportunities for athletes beyond academics, aiming to bridge grassroots potential with international excellence. The UAAP plans to introduce weightlifting, shooting, and golf initially as demonstration events to broaden student-athlete opportunities and contribute to the country's international medal tally.
Gregorio commended the league's adaptability in supporting nation-building, highlighting the necessity of strong university and college foundations to achieve success in international competitions. He expressed optimism about this partnership, noting the strong representation from all eight member schools as a crucial factor in enhancing the country's sports landscape.
