Bringing back the glory years of Project: Gintong Alay and getting the private sector involved will be among the goals of newly appointed Philippine Sports Commission chairman Jose Emmanuel “Noli” Eala.
Project: Gintong Alay or Gintong Alay was an elite-level national sports program by the Philippine government, launched under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos from 1979 until 1986.
Run by Michael Keon as executive director, the program was able to produce successful national athletes.
The late Lydia de Vega, who became known as “Asia’s Sprint Queen”, Isidro del Prado, a two-time Olympian in track and field, and long jump champion Elma Muros-Posadas were among the products of Project: Gintong Alay.
And to make the PSC’s activities more relevant, the private sector needs to be involved in helping and supporting its programs.
The 59-year-old Eala talked about Gintong Alay’s vision, mission and success after he showed up at the PSC offices at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila on Thursday.
A meeting with bowling great Bong Coo, who was appointed earlier as commissioner, soon followed with Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. joining them.
Malacanang has yet to appoint three more commissioners to complete the five-member PSC board.
“We will reach out to the private sector, similar to the golden years of the Gintong Alay program, to harness their support for all stakeholders of sports. Today, I reported for work and had an initial meeting with officers of the agency, discussing matters from basic housekeeping to urgent pending matters needing immediate attention and action,” said Eala in a statement.
Eala said said they will soon get their activities up and running once he’s done with some housekeeping activities within the PSC.
“We target to have all these clarified and studied in preparation for the formal convening of the board. It was a productive first day at the office. There are many things to be done, but I am hopeful and eager to start working. The PSC will have a new face and new energy. The PSC, under my watch, will care for sports like no other,” added Eala.
Eala said he never expected to be at the forefront of Philippine sports development until he was appointed as chairman.
“Sports has always been my passion. My involvement in sports for the last 33 years is a testimony to this. Never did it cross my mind that I would be given this honor and privilege to lead the PSC and our country’s sports agenda,” Eala added.
Eala is the 11th chairman of the government sports agency and he brings with him his rich and vast experience as an administrator of a national sports association and other sports organizations.
He was a former commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association and executive director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
A broadcaster by profession, Eala also brings with him the great understanding he has of the needs of athletes, being an uncle to Alexandra Eala, the world no. 2 junior tennis player.
Before Eala became chairman, he had a weekly television program, “Power and Play,” on TV5, and it dabbled into sports topics, athletes, weekly sports issues and updates.
“I would like to thank the President for this opportunity to serve Philippine sports again. We have made great strides in the last few years in sports. My new administration will seek to ensure sustainability of the success of our programs for the long term,” said Eala.