Magtulaungan panawagan ni Tolentino

MANILA, Philippines — Imbes na magkawatak-watak ay mas mabuting magtulungan ang mga pangunahing sports officials para sa kapakanan ng bansa.

Sinabi ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) incumbent president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino na mas magandang magkaroon ng pagkakaisa ang mga sports leaders.

“We cannot afford more division in Philippine sports. We have made giant strides since the Asian Games in 2018 and the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019,” wika ni Tolentino. “Internal bickering will set us back.”

Hangad ni Tolentino, pangulo rin ng cycling federation, ang kanyang ikalawang termino bilang POC president sa eleksyon na idaraos sa Nobyembre 27 kung saan hahamunin siya ni Atty. Clint Aranas ng archery.

Ayon sa kinatawan ng ika-8 Distrito ng Cavite sa Kongreso, handa siyang suportahan ang mga mana-nalong opisyal sa POC elections.

“Whatever happens in the POC elections, we must get behind our leaders and help in charting a viable course for Philippine sports,” wika ng 56-anyos na si Tolentino.

Nasa tiket ni Tolentino sina Tom Carrasco (chairman) ng triathlon, Al Panlilio (first VP) ng basketball, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez (2nd VP) ng fencing at modern pentathlon, Cynthia Carrion (treasurer) ng gymnastics, Chito Loyzaga (auditor) ng baseball at sina Raul Canlas ng surfing, Dave Carter ng judo at Prospero ‘Butch’ Pichay ng chess para sa POC Board.

“Let’s focus on what we plan and what we can do for Philippine sports. Let’s not get distracted by personal attacks. What we bring to the table is more important and will impact the future of POC,” ani Carrasco.

Ang grupo naman ni Aranas ay kinabibilangan nina Steve Hontiveros (chairman) ng handball, Juico (first vice president) ng athletics, Ada Milby (se-cond vice president) ng rugby, Monico Puentevella (treasurer) ng weightlifting at sina Julian Camacho ng wushu, Robert Bachmann ng squash, Charlie Ho ng netball at Robert Mananquil ng billiards (POC Board).