Newly appointed commissioner Walter Torres will have his hands full with his duties as a board member of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Torres, who got his appointment three weeks ago, will not only be involved in monitoring athletes in 13 national sports, he will also be keeping an eye on the 17 disciplines concerned with the disabled, for a total of 30 sports.
The 55-year-old Torres got his marching orders, along with commissioners Bong Coo and Edward Hayco, following a meeting with new PSC chairman Richard Bachmann last week.
“We have finalized the NSA allocations. I have 13 NSAs and 17 para sports under me. I will meet with them this week, and talk about programs, plans and their budget,” said Torres.
He added he will be wearing two hats as he assumes his new role with the government sports agency.
Torres will still be keeping his post as vice president of the Sports Committee in the ASEAN Para Sports Federation, which is the governing body of the Paralympic Movement in South East Asia
Last August, Torres retained this post with Than Than Htay of Myanmar in the APSF.
Among the NSAs that Torres will take care of are modern pentathlon, fencing, judo, lawn balls, water skiing, sepak takraw, esports and floorball.
Coo, on the other hand, will handle 22, and this includes muay thai, bowling, athletics and karatedo.
Torres used to be the Director of the Loyola Schools Physical Education Program and has been teaching Physical Education in Ateneo since 2000 before he became a commissioner.
On the other hand, Torres said he is stepping down as secretary general for the Philippine Paralympic Committee and Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled.
He has also given up his coaching job in fencing and his position a board member of the Philippine Fencing Association.
Because he has given a lot of time with the disabled, he hopes to have his responsibilities with the para athletes be put side by side with that of regular athletes.