1Pacman party-list nominee and Globalport team owner Dr. Mikee Romero reassured the sporting community that the party-list will never back down on its promise to put national sports development as its top priority Friday afternoon.
The youthful sports leader also said he is staking his name and his long involvement in quite a number of sports disciplines as he aims to fulfill his promise of giving back to the sporting community which helped raised him as a sports and business leader.
Romero, one of the country’s youngest sports leaders, has been supporting sports through his Globalport Batang Pier team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Manila Sharks polo team. He is also involved in shooting, a sport he practiced among other disciplines.
“I’ve always loved and supported sports development in the country. What we need is a comprehensive grassroots plan to tap the youth in sports starting in schools and barangays,” he said.
1Pacman, No. 25 on the ballot, through Romero, has been endorsed by different sports personalities such as Gilas Pilipinas’ Jason Castro and Terrence Romero and PBA MVP James Yap.
“Through 1Pacman, I am seeking to represent the marginalized sectors of our society in Congress, aiming to focus not only in sports but also in education and job creation,” Romero explained.
Romero knows the hardships of being a student-athlete as he played for the De La Salle University. Moreover, his daughter Milka Romero played football for the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles.
After his athletic collegiate career, he earned a masters degree in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management, and two doctorate degrees in Business Administration and Political Economics from the International Academy of Management and Economics-Philippines and De La Salle University.
He explained that the Philippines can produce more world-class athletes like Manny Pacquiao, Lydia de Vega, Paeng Nepomuceno, and Arianne Cerdena if more funds will be allotted for sports development and training. “What we need is for the government to focus on developing young athletes and providing them venues to compete like the Palarong Pambansa,” Romero said.
“Many of our youth have the talent and skills but what they need is extensive training and opportunities to compete in high-level tournaments.”
Once elected, Romero said, he will seek to provide more funding for school and barangay-based sports programs.
“Wants to give back to the Philippine youth community,” reiterating his stand for equal opportunities to all through sports.
