Sytin gets appointment as PATAFA sec-gen

MANILA, Philippines — From volleyball, Rommel Sytin is dipping his hands into athletics after he was appointed the new secretary-general of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.

PATAFA president Philip Ella Juico announced Sytin’s appointment after Terry Capistrano relinquished the post to focus on his business.

“Yes, confirmed,” said PATAFA marketing head Edward Kho. “May bagong business, kailangan daw niya (Capistrano) ng tutok, pet project yata.”

Sytin is president of United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. and Foton Motor Philippines, Inc., owners of reigning Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference champion Chery Tiggo.

Sytin has been heavily involved in volleyball, having fielded teams in the PVL as well as the Philippine Superliga (PSL), which is currently on leave, while being a staunch supporter of the University of the Philippines’ women’s volley squad.

He will be a big addition to a sport that has been gaining significant ground internationally thanks to recent exploits by Filipino Olympian pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, who now owns the Asian record of 5.93 he set in Innsbruck, Austria early this month.