UAAP explores adding Olympic sports with PSC

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is exploring ways to collaborate with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to integrate additional Olympic sports into its collegiate league calendar.

During a strategic dialogue on Wednesday between the UAAP Board and newly-appointed PSC Chairman Patrick 'Pato' Gregorio, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to supporting national sports development and deepening collaboration.

Gregorio highlighted a gap in the athletic development pipeline where many athletes switch to non-college competition sports after participating in grassroots programs like Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa, emphasizing the need for university involvement.

The current UAAP calendar includes basketball, badminton, athletics, beach volleyball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, judo, baseball, softball, volleyball, football, fencing, tennis, 3x3 basketball, chess, and esports.

Adamson University vice president Fr. Aldrin Suan said the PSC is willing to support the league's expansion into new Olympic disciplines like weightlifting, shooting, and golf as demonstration events to help produce medals in a short time frame.

The UAAP aims to serve as a bridge between grassroots potential and international excellence by broadening opportunities for student-athletes through additional sports, with plans to introduce demonstration events for weightlifting, shooting, and golf.