Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero of 1Pacman Partylist urged all sports leaders and major stakeholders to support newly reelected Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino in helping national athletes for a busy year in 2021.
Romero said it’s time to revolutionize Philippine sports and make a difference in international competitions like the Olympics, where the country has yet to win the first elusive gold medal.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate my good friend, Cong. Bambol, for securing a full four-year term this time. It’s a tough job being the president of POC but I know he can handle it being a seasoned leader both as a sportsman and politician,” said the former amateur basketball godfather.
Tolentino, also a Tagaytay City Representative, defeated archery chief Clint Aranas in Friday’s election for a full four-year term.
To achieve this Olympic goal, Romero said sports leaders must unite and put an end to sports politics.
“We have to plan and work as one because the coming Tokyo Games is really our best chance. No more politics in sports because it destroys the three values of Olympism which are excellence, friendship and respect,” said Romero.
Aside from the Olympics, national athletes are expected to compete in various elite tournaments such as the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, the 4th Asian Youth Games and 6th Asian Beach Games in China, and the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand.
Romero is happy to note about the continued training of boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnast Carlos Yulo – all of them have already qualified for the quadrennial spectacle.
“They are the country’s top gold medal prospects so far but I am looking forward to more qualifiers,” said Romero.
Those with realistic chances of making the grade are 2016 Rio de Janeiro silver medal winner Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon and Ian Clark Bautista and golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan.
“They say the more, the merrier, but for us, the more athletes we can send, the bigger chances we can have,” said Romero who is hopeful that other PH bets will excel in the respective qualifiers set early next year.