Mikee pushes for ‘godfather’ system

MANILA, Philippines - 1Pacman party-list No. 1 nominee Dr. Mikee Romero yesterday pushed for the return of the “godfather” system in sports to fund the elite athletes’ training even as he expressed his desire to give up his monthly salary if elected to the Congress.

“It’s high time to bring back the godfather system in sports,” said Romero, who served as chief backer of the Philippine basketball team that dominated the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.

Led by current PBA stars like Jayson Castro, Beau Belga, and Gabe Norwood, the 2007 national team got top class training through the support of the GlobalPort owner and went on the stamp its class in the biennial games.

But support to the national athletes has not been encouraging since and the 1Pacman candidate, one of the youngest billionaires in the country, hopes to revive the “godfather system” in preparation for the Tokyo Games in 2020.

He also reiterated his desire to donate his salary if ever he lands a seat in Congress.

“I will not get my salary if given the chance to serve the country as a member of the Congress. I will form a team to select young and promising talents who will receive my financial help,” said Romero, who built a world-class passenger terminal at North Harbor aside from being a part owner of AirAsia Philippines.

For elite athletes, the GlobalPort owner plans to talk to several giant corporations and convince them to adopt one or two of them and provide them additional financial help which he said is essential in their quest for glory and honor for the country.

“We have to show our love and concern for our athletes and we can only do that if we provide them all they need – give them the proper training while providing support to their respective families,” said Romero.

With his connections in the big business, Romero said he will also try to convince some of his friends to help him out in providing financial assistance to deserving athletes.

Romero also plans to boost the country’s ties with some European powers so that the transfer of technical knowledge to Filipino athletes will cost only little to the government.

The 1Pacman candidate also bared plans to invite coaches who made good marks in the Olympic Games.

“I will make sure to invite coaches with huge success in the Olympics so they can share their winning formula to our athletes,” said Romero.