OUTGOING Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann has officially announced his departure from the agency after submitting his courtesy resignation in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for cabinet members and agency heads.
Bachmann reflected on the significant strides made in Philippine sports under his leadership,
lauding the nation’s “impressive performance” at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which coincided with the centennial year of Philippine participation in the games.
A groundbreaking moment highlighted in his message was the men’s curling team securing the Philippines’ first gold medal in any winter multi-sporting event at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.
The country also celebrated its best overall ranking in three decades at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games during Bachmann’s time.
Preparations are also well underway for this year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Bachmann also emphasized the strong foundation laid for optimizing the country’s sports landscape, pointing out the “proactive participation of Filipino youth” in grassroots programs such as Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games.
The PSC also championed inclusivity and community development under his watch. Initiatives like the Philippine National Para Games for Persons with Disabilities, the celebration of Women in Sports, the Laro’t Saya Program for community mobilization, the preservation of Filipino culture through Indigenous Peoples Games, and a commitment to Safe Sport were all highlighted as key efforts to empower individuals through sports.
The Philippines has also firmly established itself as a premier global sporting destination. Bachmann proudly cited the successful hosting of major events, including the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2024 ICF Dragonboat World Championships. The nation is also gearing up for historic hostings in 2025, including the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships, the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, and the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Junior Championships, further cementing the country’s capacity as a global sports tourism hub.
Expressing a “deep sense of fulfillment” as he departs, Bachmann extended his gratitude to the dedicated men and women of the PSC, national athletes and coaches, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and all contributors to Philippine sports.
He noted the implementation of policies to strengthen grassroots and elite athlete programs, organizational optimization within the PSC, and significant budget increases that benefit all stakeholders and empower athletes to achieve their dreams. Ongoing major infrastructure projects are also set to improve athlete welfare and provide state-of-the-art training facilities.
Bachmann conveyed his excitement for the future of Philippine sports, anticipating “even greater milestones.”
He extended his best wishes to his successor, John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, in continuing the mission they all “deeply believe in.”
