Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 22) — The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) eyes professionalizing sports currently not under the mandate of the agency such as surfing, darts and kart racing, chairman Richard Clarin said on Tuesday.
“What we do is we try to professionalize all the sports,” Clarin told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word, discussing GAB’s goal of promoting all sports.
“There are a lot of sports that are not yet under the provision or the mandate of GAB. We’re looking into kart racing, surfing and darts, and other sports that are being implemented but are not under GAB supervision,” he added.
GAB currently regulates Philippine domestic sports, including cockfighting, soccer, basketball, tennis, martial arts, bowling, wrestling, boxing, and horse racing.
Clarin said the board also seeks to professionalize to be able to “ synthesize rules and guidelines” in all games and matches.
He said the board aims to have a national set of guidelines monitored to be at par with those set internationally, adding that guidelines also protect the competing athletes’ safety.
In terms of budget, GAB said it is also eyeing to gather funds from other sources such as local government units and private companies willing to sponsor athletes and sports teams.
