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| Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann with (from left) Engineer Maria Victoria Moya, Sports Julia Llanto, executive director Paulo Francisco Tatad, Atty. Erik Jean Mayores and Engineers Loreta Malaluan, Manny Bulasan, Lamberto De Leon and Brian Briones (Image Source: Business Mirror/Philippine Sports Commission) |
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have solidified their commitment to improving national sports infrastructure through the signing of separate agreements for major upgrades to the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila. The agreements, recently signed at the RMSC’s Conference Room, were spearheaded by PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, Executive Director Paulo Francisco Tatad, and Accounting Division Chief Atty. Erik Jean Mayores. Representing DPWH were Regional Director Engr. Loreta M. Malaluan, District Engineer Aristotle B. Ramos, OIC Engr. Manny B. Bulasan, and OIC Assistant District Engineer Brian B. Briones. This partnership aims to enhance the training environment and living conditions for national athletes, ensuring they receive world-class support throughout their journeys.
One of the highlights of the agreement includes the enhancement of dormitory facilities at the PhilSports Complex, which serves as a training hub for numerous national athletes. This is in line with the ongoing construction of a seven-story athletes’ dormitory at RMSC, which broke ground last September. “We always want to give what is best when it comes to the primary needs of the athletes. This is one of the significant steps to ensure that they remain safe and at peace, day in or day out of their training sessions on a long-term basis,” said Chairman Bachmann during the signing ceremony. At the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the following key upgrades are already in progress:
• Baseball Stadium Retrofitting: Aiming to meet international standards, the upgrades include the installation of a covered roofing, a revamped grandstand for spectators, a high-resolution LED scoreboard, protective netting, and stainless-steel railings with glass.
• Multi-Purpose Facility: A 12-story facility adjacent to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium will feature a modernized bowling alley.
• Philippine Sports Museum Redevelopment: This upgrade will spotlight the nation’s rich sports history.
• Administrative Building Rehabilitation: A more efficient facility for sports agency operations.
These projects are envisioned to provide state-of-the-art amenities for both athletes and audiences, cementing RMSC’s status as a top-tier sports venue in the country. PSC Chairman Bachmann emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving these ambitious goals, saying, “I’d like to thank DPWH for partnering with us. And I’m sure ‘pag tapos na [ang projects], all the athletes and NSAs [National Sports Associations] will be actually happy.” The partnership underscores the shared vision of the PSC and DPWH to elevate Philippine sports to new heights, ensuring the well-being and success of Filipino athletes for years to come.
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Muntinlupa City And Alyssa Valdez Join Forces For Grassroots Volleyball Program
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| Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, 1Munti's Atty. Jojay Alcaraz and Philippine volleyball star Alyssa Valdez with the aspiring beneficiaries of the sports development program from different schools in the city (Image Source: City Government Of Muntinlupa) |
Muntinlupa City is taking a bold step in sports development with the launch of a grassroots volleyball program in partnership with volleyball superstar Alyssa Valdez and her team at AV360. The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon and Valdez, marking the start of an exciting collaboration to nurture young Muntinlupeño athletes while fostering values through sports. The initiative, spearheaded by 1Munti, highlights the city’s commitment to championing children’s welfare and youth empowerment through sports. The volleyball program will kick off in early 2025 and aims to provide specialized training camps, mentorship, and character-building activities for aspiring athletes.
Mayor Biazon emphasized the transformative power of sports during the signing ceremony, stating, “Sports is not just about competition or entertainment — it’s a powerful tool for development, shaping our children’s potential while promoting health, discipline, and community spirit.” Alyssa Valdez, a role model for aspiring athletes, expressed her excitement about partnering with the city government. Through AV360, Valdez and her team will deliver top-tier training and mentorship to help young athletes excel on and off the court. 1Munti’s Atty. Jojay Alcaraz also shared the broader vision of the program, explaining, “This partnership is about more than just athletic training — it’s about providing a platform where young athletes can learn values like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, which will serve them throughout life.”
Key figures like AV360’s Ms. Jem Lim and Ms. Carla Dado, alongside the City’s Youth Affairs and Sports Development Office led by Ms. Cynthia Viacrusis, were instrumental in bringing the program to fruition. With the program set to launch in 2025, Muntinlupa City is ushering in a new era of youth empowerment and sports excellence, inspiring the next generation of volleyball stars and well-rounded individuals.
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Azkals Development Academy Teams Up With Levante UD To Redefine Youth Football In PH
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| Levante UD Head of International Training Area Daniel Pastor with Joshua Gabriel Moleje, a talented young Azkals Development Academy U15 footballer from Bacolod City and Azkals Development Academy (ADA) founder and former Azkals team captain Stephan Schröck (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/Azkals Development Academy) |
The Azkals Development Academy (ADA), founded by former Azkals captain Stephan Schröck, has announced a historic partnership with Levante UD SAD, a top-tier professional football club from Spain. This collaboration is set to revolutionize youth football in the Philippines, providing young athletes with unparalleled opportunities to shine on the global stage. The partnership’s first major achievement is a 100% scholarship awarded to Joshua Gabriel Moleje, a talented ADA U15 player from Bacolod City. Moleje, currently part of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Juniors Football Varsity and the U16 national team, will train with Levante UD in Valencia, Spain. This marks a milestone for Filipino youth football, offering Moleje a chance to develop his skills in one of the most competitive football environments worldwide.
Moleje shared, “I am beyond excited to represent the Philippines and learn from some of the best coaches in the world. This is a dream come true.” This partnership announcement follows the ADA U15 team’s exceptional performance at the International Football Championships 2024 in Bali, Indonesia. The team secured second place, outplaying teams from Australia and Indonesia. Moleje stood out in the tournament, earning the Best Forward Award, solidifying his reputation as one of the country’s most promising football talents. “We are thrilled to partner with Levante UD, a club renowned for its excellence and passion for football. Together, we aim to uplift Filipino youth, providing them with the tools and opportunities to succeed on and off the field,” said ADA founder Stephan Schröck. Levante UD echoed these sentiments, emphasizing their commitment to nurturing global football talent, stating, “This partnership reflects our commitment to developing football globally. We are excited to work with the Azkals Development Academy to inspire a new generation of players in the Philippines.”
The ADA and Levante UD partnership will focus on grassroots development, international exposure, and comprehensive training programs. Football enthusiasts can look forward to ID camps and new programs launching in 2025, further expanding opportunities for Filipino athletes to pursue their football dreams.
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PH Inter-School Sport Association Announces 2025 Activities
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| Philippine Inter-School Sport Association (PISSA) President Mary G. Ng and Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) President Edwin C. Fabro (Image Source: Manila Standard/Philippine Inter-School Sport Association) |
The Philippine Inter-School Sport Association (PISSA), led by its president Mary G. Ng, recently presented the organization’s programs and activities which include various national tournaments and international competitions. The PISSA is a national school federation in the Philippines recognized by the International School Sport Federation (ISF), which in turn is affiliated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Preparations are underway for the country’s participation in the coming ISF Gymnasiade 2025, also known as the World School Games for athletes aged 15 and under, to be held in Serbia on April 4-14, 2025.
The PISSA Executive Board, which is also headed by Ng, will soon determine the two sports luminaries who will act as the Philippine head of delegation and the flag bearer to the World School Games in Serbia. Assisted by Deputy President David Ong, Ng has started preparations for the national qualifying tournaments in the multiple sports events that the Philippines will be taking part of in the ISF World Games. Initially, the PISSA will field entries in archery, basketball 3×3, judo, orienteering and table tennis. The PISSA Executive Board comprises of Christian Tan (Senior Vice President), Joseph Sy (Secretary General), Cecil Sarmiento (Treasurer), Chester Lim (Director), Carlito Fermanes (Director), and Ricky Chua (Director) with Albert Andaya, Romulo Raytos, Edwin Co, and Wilson Guevarra serving as technical members. Various national tournaments have been organized by the PISSA annually. Among them are the PISSA Juniors Basketball Championship and the PISSA Juniors Volleyball Championship, staged in partnership with the Senior High School membership schools belonging to the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) led by its president Edwin C. Fabro and Chairman of the Board Alvin Tai Lian.
The FESSAP regulates multiple leagues such as the Philippine University Archery League (PUAL), Philippine University Basketball League (PUBL), and the Philippine Wushu Colleges and Clubs Association (PWCCA) tournament, whose competitions are aligned with the PISSA program to help uplift Philippine sports nationwide at the university and college level. In archery, the PISSA and FESSAP struck an agreement to have the Philippine University Archery League conduct the National Qualifying Tournaments not only featuring student-athletes at the university level, but also in the senior high school ranks. The partnership between the PISSA and FESSAP is supported by the Philippine Airlines, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Bestank Manufacturing, LT Group Inc., Healthy Options, Seascape Village Seafoods, Paddock’s Casual Jeans, KELME Sportswear, OMNI Electrical and Lighting, and HENN Athletic Club. In a joint statement, Ng and Fabro said, “As the leading organizations of both the PISSA and FESSAP in the Philippines, we shall hold more national competitions in other disciplines as our own little way to uplift sport in the country.”
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Global eSports Federation Welcomes 2025 – Year Of Development
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| (Image Source: Global eSports Federation) |
At the year-end Board Meeting and 5th General Assembly, the Global eSports Federation (GEF) reflected on its achievements and set the groundwork for 2025 – A Year Of Development. The GEF has expanded partnerships and its global footprint, catalyzing the growth of eSports as a dynamic and unifying global movement. On December 10, 2024, GEF President Chris Chan convened the GEF 14th Board Meeting and 5th General Assembly, reaffirming its mission to shape the credibility, legitimacy, and prestige of eSports and uniting communities worldwide. GEF’s Divisional Executives briefed the community and underscored GEF’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continued progress. The GEF welcomed over 25 new Member Federations in 2024, increasing its global membership to 178 Member Federations. This milestone reaffirms the GEF’s mission to connect eSports communities and drive positive impact worldwide.
Season 4 of the Global eSports Tour (GET) highlighted the first stage in Rio de Janeiro, thrilling fans as eight of the world’s best Counter-Strike 2 teams competed at the Maracanãzinho. Season 5 of GET in 2025 promises even greater excitement as the tour heads to new vibrant global destinations, including India, Italy, North America, Peru, Brazil, and Türkiye. These international destinations highlight GEF’s commitment to reaching new, diverse audiences worldwide. The GEF looks forward to supporting the landmark Olympic eSports Games under the leadership of Ser Miang Ng, Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Chairperson of the Olympic eSports Games Steering Committee. GEF further showcased its commitment to social impact in launching the Global Social Impact Initiative during UNESCO’s “Change The Game” Sport Conference ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, uniting leaders from technology, sports, and community sectors to drive meaningful change.
“These first five years have been foundational for the Global eSports Federation. As we close out 2024, we reflect on our progress in building connections, expanding our global reach, and igniting innovation across eSports. In 2025, we will build on this foundation, driving development and enabling even greater unity within the global #worldconnected community,” said GEF CEO Paul J. Foster. As GEF turns its focus to 2025 – The Year Of Development, it is poised to advance eSports to new heights, uniting diverse communities and delivering unparalleled experiences that transcend borders.
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Manny Pacquiao, Dubai Sports Council Discuss Future Collaborations
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| (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/Dubai Sports Council) |
In an exciting development for sports enthusiasts in the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), boxing legend Manny Pacquiao recently met with key officials from the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) to explore the future of sports collaboration between the two regions. The meeting, held at the Dubai Sports Council headquarters, brought together prominent figures from the DSC including Secretary General His Excellency Saeed Mohamed Harib and Council Head His Excellency Sayed Hareb. Also attending the discussions were DSC Assistant Secretary General Nasser Aman Al Rahma, DSC Director of Events Ali Omar, and DSC Director of Marketing and Communications Khalid Al Awar. The focus of the meeting was to discuss the potential for exciting new sports events and initiatives in Dubai with a strong emphasis on boxing and basketball.
One of the key announcements made during the meeting were that the first two games of the recently concluded 2024 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Championship held in Dubai. This marked a historic milestone in the league’s international expansion and highlights the growing influence of Filipino sports in the global arena. In addition to the MPBL games, both Pacquiao and DSC officials discussed the possibility of establishing boxing and basketball academies in Dubai. These academies would serve as a platform for nurturing young talent and promoting sports development in the region, helping to create a sustainable sports culture that encourages participation at all levels. Pacquiao, who has long been a passionate advocate for sports development, expressed his excitement about the collaboration and his commitment to contributing to the growth of sports in the UAE. He highlighted the importance of fostering talent and building strong relationships through sports, noting that this collaboration would not only benefit aspiring athletes but also strengthen the cultural and economic ties between the Philippines and Dubai.
“We are excited about the prospects of working together with the Dubai Sports Council to bring world-class sports events and training programs to Dubai. This collaboration will not only strengthen the ties between our countries but also provide new opportunities for aspiring athletes,” said Pacquiao. As the meeting concluded, both Pacquiao and the Dubai Sports Council officials shared a vision for the future of sports in Dubai, aiming to create lasting partnerships and inspire the next generation of athletes. With plans for more international events and sports development initiatives, the future of sports collaboration between the Philippines and Dubai looks bright.
