PAAF became the rallying point of all agencies and
individuals dedicated to the promotion of athletics in the country. It moved to enshrine
the highest ideals of sportsmanship and fair play among athletes. The Federation was proud
to show the world the products of its athletic programs in international meets. Amateur
sports in the Philippines prospered, with Filipino athletes dominating in Asia. The PAAF
was in the forefront of the move to put up public playgrounds and recreational facilities
in the country, as it was the U.S. policy with then Public Parks Commissioner Dwight
Davis, the Cup donor. Another factor that contributed to growth of amateur sports in the country was the passage in 1925 by the Philippine Legislature of Act No. 3262 empowering the Federation to promote and encourage the development of all public recreation and amateur athletic facilities in the country. The countrys first ever participation in the "Olympic Games" in Munich in 1928 was significant when Teofilo Yldefonso won the bronze medal in swimming. Historically, only Tokyo and Manila were the sports capitals of Asia. The Act also created the position of National Physical Director in the Deparment of Public Instruction who was in liaison with the PAAF. Under this Act, the Federation constructed the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex which was completed in time for the Far Eastern Games in 1934. In the 1960, Rome Olympiad and other international meets, the Philippines performed poorly. The nations sports leaders thought that the PAAF Charter was outmoded, obsolete and the activities were limited to the Manila Area. The PAAF Executive Committee approved
the Charter revision. Following a joint meeting of representatives of the PAAF and the
Association for Advanced Athletics (AAAA), a composite bill was forged, with the measure
passed in toto by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and approved by the
President of the Philippines. Thus, it is now known as Republic Act No. 3135. The most
profound change effected by the new PAAF Charter was the decentralization of the
federation activities. Each of the national sports association was made authonomous, in
charge of developing and promoting their own event. |
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