CHIZ: LOOK FOR SPORTS CHAMPIONS IN GRASSROOTS COMPETITION

Catanduanes - Senator Chiz Escudero on Monday urged sports organizations to pan for gold in athletic competitions held at the grassroots level, which he described as a rich but neglected source of homegrown talents.

Speaking before participants of the Palarong Bicol at the Catanduanes Sports Complex, Escudero lauded the efforts of the organizers to reach out to a greater number of Bicolano athletes in search of local and international champions.

"Grassroots competitions can very well be the gold mine in our search for Manny Pacquiaos and Wesley Sos of the future. We are a country of champions and our search for winners should not only focus on the cities but take us to the very remotest barrios as well," he said.

Escudero, a Bicolano himself, said although the search for future international medalists should not be limited to local talents, the government however should scout for potential champions among our homegrown athletes.

"Instead of fixing our eyes abroad for Filipino athletes, it would be better to focus our attention to the provinces, although we should not discriminate against Filipinos excelling in competitions in other countries," the senator said.

The provincial government of Catanduanes is this year's host of the Palarong Bicol 2009, which would be held from March 22 to 28. Athletes come from participating schools in the six provinces of Bicol, which are Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Sorsogon and Catanduanes.