There was a feeling of euphoria once the final tally was announced during the Philippine Olympic Committee re-election held at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong. Finally, there will be a new face that will lead Philippine Sports in President Ricky Vargas and Chairman Abraham Tolentino.
After years of squabble, Vargas could not help but get the ball rolling once he was presented to the public.
“We will make changes for the athletes,” said Vargas with Tolentino beside him.
“This is for the athletes, long live Philippine Sports.”
But just like when he was presented as the chairman of the Philippine Basketball Association for the league’s 43rd season, Vargas, who won with a 24-15 tally, will have a tough task of bringing together a fragmented sporting community.
That is why the first order of business is to reconcile the factions in order move forward.
“We will work with PSC [Philippine Sports Commission], reconciling with all the hurts this process has gone through,” added Vargas.
“We will tap all LGU’s for development,” Tolentino added.
To boost his vision, SMART Communications Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan immediately pledged PHP 20-million to jumpstart his programs.
“I have an announcement. I just got a text from MVP saying that he is going to seed 20-million pesos to the POC just to get it started,” the new POC chairman shared.
With this, a new era begins in Philippine sports.
