The plans and programs contained in a playbook that was prepared by the past administration of the Philippine Sports Commission will be put under review by the present set of officials of the government sport’s body.
Incoming PSC chairman Jose Emmanuel “Noli” Eala said this following a simple turnover ceremony with outgoing PSC chief William “Butch” Ramirez on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.
In August last year, Ramirez and members of the board crafted a playbook that mapped out the future of the 19 Filipino athletes, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics.
The program the PSC designed is up to four Olympic cycles, set for as long as 16 years.
“I’ve read only a couple so far. I will be meeting with him and find out,” said Eala.
Executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy and former national training director Marc Velasco joined Ramirez and Eala in the ceremonies.
The guidelines crafted by the government sports agency can be used for the next two decades as the country seeks to sustain the momentum that was gained during the Tokyo Olympics.
But for Eala, he believes that the formula for success that Ramirez and the board members created can be seen in what weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz went through in claiming the country’s first Olympic gold medal.
“When you look at the formula for success, I think we’ve seen it in Hidilyn. I think that’s the blueprint we need to follow,” added Eala.
The new PSC chief said he had a discussion with Ramirez when he first learned that he was going to be the chairman.
Ramirez said he will be available if his advice is sought.
“Four years of working, two years disturbed by the pandemic. It was a meaningful journey. Chairman Noli Eala needs our help, our support. For, if he succeeds, Philippine Sports Commission will succeed and Philippine sports will succeed,” said Ramirez before turning over the reins of the PSC to Eala.
For now, Eala said that the PSC needs to have a complete set of board members for things to work out.
“Completing the board is important. We have to have a full board that will work. Of course, it doesn’t mean that nothing is being done,” said Eala, who met with Philippine Olympic Committee officials and its president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino later in the evening.
The PSC is awaiting the appointment of three more members to its five-man board, which has one member in bowling great in Olivia “Bong” Coo.
