The UAAP aims to further strengthen its ties with the PSC by adding more Olympic sports to its program

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in order to increase support for the national sports development agenda.

Newly appointed PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio recently held a call with the UAAP Board of Managing Directors, during which they discussed ways to deepen collaboration between the collegiate league and the government sports body. As part of this effort, the conversation veered toward including more Olympic disciplines in the UAAP sporting calendar.

Currently, Olympic sports such as basketball, badminton, athletics, beach volleyball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, judo, baseball, softball, volleyball, football, fencing, tennis, and 3×3 basketball are part of the UAAP calendar.

“It’s extremely important. We need to connect the value chain—and for me, that value is defined as the connection from grassroots to high performance. The missing links are our universities and colleges. That’s where the sports value chain gets cut off,” Gregorio said in a media interaction.

The UAAP leadership confirmed that they are fully behind the inclusion of more Olympic sporting disciplines in the collegiate calendar. UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rene Saguisag Jr. added that they are open to including medal-rich sports such as weightlifting, shooting, and golf.

ANO NGA BA ANG KAILANGAN NG MGA ATLETANG PINOY?

More than the sports itself, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio emphasizes the importance of the welfare of athletes to be able to train well. #ANCHeadstart pic.twitter.com/vJgVMroYQe

— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) July 4, 2025

“The UAAP’s raison d’être is to support the national sports program—our reason for being. If we can be the bridge between grassroots potential and international excellence, then it becomes a legacy worth investing in,” Saguisag said.

“We are open to innovation and evolution. If these additional sports serve the greater goal of nation-building through athletics, then they deserve serious consideration.” 

He suggested events like weightlifting and shooting, where the country could produce medals in a short amount of time. “The PSC has committed to help us fund and initiate these additions. This is a promising example of public-private partnership in sports.”

The PSC and UAAP are looking to Japan as a model, as it boasts a successful university sports structure, with over 60 percent of its Olympic athletes coming from college programs.

“University sports in Japan are heavily subsidized, and they serve as a major pipeline for their Olympic athletes. Objectively, this kind of setup will strengthen the PSC’s national sports program while also allowing the UAAP to fulfill its mission of producing elite athletes,” UAAP Finance Committee Chairman Fr. Aldrin Suan said.

A technical working group is set to be formed, composed of Fr. Suan, two members of the UAAP, and three representatives from the PSC.

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