PSC’s challenge: Build cycling velodrome
LINGAYEN–Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Ricardo Garcia has confirmed that Pangasinan is the most ideal venue for national and international sports competitions outside Metro Manila but it still needs a cycling velodrome to reclaim its foothold on cycling.
Garcia noted that only a cycling velodrome is lacking in Pangasinan but it has all what it has in order to continuously host national and international sports events.
In a speech during a welcome party hosted by Governor Amado Espino Jr. for participants to the 5th Philippine National Games (PNG), challenged Gov. Espino to embark on a velodrome project to make Pangaisnan indeed the number one sporting province in the country.
He said the only cycling velodrome in the country today is located in Quezon City that needs to be modernized.
Actually, the late Geruncio Lacuesta, founder of the fabled Tour of Luzon, tried to build the country’s first cycling velodrome in mid-1970s in Bayambang but he died before the project could be completed.
The Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) built during the term of then President Fidel V. Ramos as venue of the 1995 Palarong Pambansa, has been improved many times over and is being maintained as a legacy of the present generation to the future generations of Pangasinenses.
Its facilities include billeting for sports officials and coaches participating in any sports events, no other sports center in the country today can offer.
Other support facilities include the Sison Auditorium, the golf driving range of the Pangasinan Resort Hotel as well as the entire provincial capitol compound.
Pangasinan used to be number one province in cycling due to its numerous athletes who reigned champions in many national cycling competitions.
PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez earlier said that he has the blueprint for an ideal cycling velodrome where cyclists can be trained year-round.
He said the edifice can also be income generating as it will also reserve spaces for several stalls that would cater to the needs of participating athletes and their fans, like restaurants and shops.
He said he is willing to share the plan with the provincial government to fast track the project. (Leonardo Micua)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
