The Philippines has a lot of catching up to do in preparing for numerous international meets next year.
With the Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, the Philippine Olympic Committee will work to live up to these challenges.
Newly elected POC president Abraham Tolentino said this Friday, as he talked about the many things that lie ahead after he got more time to serve as the top official of the Philippine sports.
“We have a lot of challenges, lot of big contributions to give, especially in Tokyo. We might have our first gold medal there,” said Tolentino.
Tolentino believes that many things can be done for national athletes and Philippine sports when he assumes his term by Jan. 1.
There are delays in the preparation of the national athletes who training for the Tokyo Olympics, the Southeast Asian Games, and other international meets next year.
But, this will be addressed as soon as approval from the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases to resume training is given.
The POC chief said many changes and surprises will happen at the beginning of 2021, as the pace of preparation accelerate.
Tolentino remains the POC’s 12th president after Ricky Vargas quit June 2019. He was elected September last year, to assume the remaining months of Vargas’ term.
Handball’s Steve Hontiveros stays on a chairman, after beating triathlon’s Tom Carrasco, 28-25.
Two key officials in Tolentino’s ticket got the nod during the polls with Al Panlilio, who as president of Smart Communications and Chief Revenue Officer of PLDT, getting the post of first vice president.
With a vote of 33 to 23, Panlilio eased out aspirant Philip Ella Juico of athletics.
Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, who is the president of the fencing and the modern pentathlon federation, assumed the position of second vice president, with 31 votes for him, and 22 for opponent Ada Milby (rugby), 22.
Gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion is the treasurer while baseball’s Chito Loyzaga is the new auditor.
Assuming positions in the board of directors are surfing’s Dr. Raul Canlas, muay’s Pearl Managuelod, Robert Bachmann (squash) and atty. Charlie Ho (netball).
There were 54 voters in the POC elections from 51 national sports associations, International Olympic Committee representative Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and Athletes Commission representatives, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and swimmer Jhessie Lacuna.