A GROUP of student-athletes from the VOLeaders Academy of the University of Tennessee who are on an International Service Immersion Experience were welcomed by the Philippine Sports Commission when they toured the agency’s sports facilities and had a short session about the local sports landscape.
The student-athlete organization aims to one day bring a positive impact and be part of the campus, local, and even global sports institutes.
PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, together with Commissioners Walter Torres and Matthew Gaston, opened the orientation session saying “keep an open mind” as they started to discuss the facilities inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Monday, riding on its immense historical significance in both sports and the country’s storied history.
Bachmann said the facilities in the sports complex are currently being refurbished to get updated, while maintaining their look to honor its historical past.
Torres congratulated the University of Tennessee for incorporating in their academic program the subject of leadership training and development.
“Leadership and character are not by chance; it has to be intentionally taught,” he said.
This was echoed by Gaston, who explained that while the PSC board is a policy-making body, they are very hands-on when it comes to dealing with the athletes.
The students were given a tour of the sports facilities like the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Rizal Memorial Baseball Field, Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Court, the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Gym, and some of the other facilities for martial arts.
The sepak Takraw and wushu teams also gave demonstrations, with the visiting student-athletes joining in to get first-hand experience in the disciplines.
