By Edwin Rollon
SPORTS Commissioner Edward Hayco welcomes the appointment of Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio as Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and described his arrival as a ‘whiff of fresh air’.
“He (Gregorio) is a young but well-equipped and experienced sports leader, having been involved in sports development not just in basketball but in almost all Olympic sports. Athletes and all sports stakeholders will surely benefit from his brand of leadership,” said the Cebuano commissioner.
“Whatever his plan and program basta para sa atleta, empleyado, stakeholders, suportado kami dyan. Para sa tagumpay ng atletang Pilipino,” added Hayco, who joined fellow commissioners Walter Torres, Fritz Gaston, Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, Jr. and outgoing Chairman Richard Bachmann in the traditional turnover of the PSC flag as Gregorio officially assumed office on Tuesday.
Malacanang released Gregorio's appointment papers the other day.
Immediately, he convened the Board and met all department heads for a briefing. However, before that, he gave sports media a platform.
“I feel grateful and privileged for the chance to rise to the occasion. I am your lucky 13th chairman of the PSC. Don’t expect anything less,” said the 55-year-old Gregorio as he vowed to give his best for the country to win more gold medals on the international scene.
“Walang dead end sa pangarap. And ang pangarap natin eh mas maraming ginto and service to the 110 million Filipinos,” added Gregorio, who guided Philippine Rowing to another stint in the Olympics last year with Joanie Delgaco's participation in the Paris Games.
“Am I excited? Yes. Am I happy? Yes. It’s very difficult to say no to the Republic of the Philippines. Hindi madali itong gagampanan nating role para sa Philippine sports and sa taong bayan,” said Gregorio.
But the corporate man who’s had a vast experience helping out basketball, boxing, rowing, and Philippine sports in general said that with the help of the major stakeholders in sports, it can be done.
Foremost, Gregorio said he wants the PSC under his watch to enable and inspire the national athletes; provide a strong link between sports and economic development; and promote a healthy citizenry.
He also wished that the country could sustain the tremendous achievements of the national athletes in the international arena, leading to three gold medals (one by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and two by gymnast Carlos Yulo) in the last two Olympics.
But he said non-Olympic sports should also get the same attention and support from the government funding arm in sports.
“Parang laging may tug-of-war sa Olympic sports and non-Olympic sports. Non-Olympic sports are equally important,” said Gregorio, who mentioned the idea of putting up a foundation to cater to Philippine sports as a whole.
“A foundation para continuous funding hindi lang kapag nananalo. Then all those in the private sector who want to help can come together,” said Gregorio, who plans to sit down with all the NSAs and even the athletes soon.
“In the next two years, I promise you I will do my best. That’s what I told the PSC employees. Pero hindi pwedeng ako lang ang pagod. And If we perform well, pati ang taong bayan papalakpakan tayo,” he said.
On the relationship between the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee, Gregorio answered.
“Automatic. Matic na ‘yan."
It's common knowledge in sports that Bachmann and POC chief Bambol Tolentino have disagreements and personal conflicts.
