THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will continue to purse its women-oriented sports activities as part of President Duterte’s “Sports for All” advocacy.
PSC Commissioner Celia Kiram said the government sports agency fully recognizes the importance of female athletes and coaches and their contributions to nation building.
Speaking at the weekly “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS), Kiram said the PSC pays tribute to women sports achievers not only during the “International Women’s Month” this March but all year long.
“Together with PSC Chairman William Ramirez and my fellow commissioners, the PSC looks up to our female athletes and coaches as much as our male athletes,” Kiram told sports editors and reporters of TOPS during the weekly public service program sponsored by the PSC, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
“In fact, we now have more female athletes and coaches than before.I think there are now only about six to seven NSAs (national sports associations), which stilll do not have female athletes and coaches in their roster. Dati madami,” added Kiram, who was joined in the forum by Elma Muros, the country’s undisputed “Long Jump Queen” and Lara Alvarez, one of only two Filipino finalists in the “ONE: The Apprentice” reality TV show.
Kiram, the only female commissioner in the PSC, admitted the many hurdles that her women in sports committee encountered during the pandemic.
“Madaming tayong programa ang hindi natuloy, madaming restrictions, lalo na sa mga face-to-face activities. But we have to follow the law. We have to follow the directives from the IATF because it is for the safety of all of us,” explained Kiram.
Kiram, however found a way to keep women in sports busy even during the lockdown.
“Alam naman natin na unang naapektuhan ngayong may pandemic ang mga kababaihan, lalo na yun mga nanay, na nag-aasikaso sa atin sa bahay,” said the long-time woman sports leader.
Kiram said the PSC has already launched series of free online seminars to push its drive for gender equality and women empowerment.
“We also found something positive in the lockdown, like trying this virtual platform to reach out to more women in sports. Now we have our weekly ‘Rise Up, Shape Up’ webinar which tackle important issues involving women,” explained Kiram, also PSC oversight Commissioner for Women in Sports.
Known as RUSU, the weekly web series that streams every Saturday on Facebook and YouTube, features different women experts and personalities aimed to inspire and empower ladies in different fields.
“This is our holistic approach to reach out to all the women in the country to be active in our leadership programs and encourage them to live a healthier lifestyle.”
Kiram also said the PSC will continue its annual Women’s Martial Arts Festival, whch is tentatively scheduled this October.
“Like most sports,virtual competitions din muna uli itong Women’s Martial Arts Festival, na tatampukan ng mga kababaihang atleta natin sa taekwondo,wushu, pencak silat at muay thai. Itutuloy natin itong programa na sinimulan ni Comm. Akiko Thomson para mahikayat ang mga kababaihan na magsanay sa self-defense,” added Kiram.
“This is also one way para subukan naman natin ang mga makabagong paraan ng kumpetisyon sa pamamagitan ng digital platform,” said Kiram, who noted the gains of Filipina athletes in virtual international competitions.
