THE GOLDEN ERA
After Tokyo triumph, all roads lead to Paris
With Filipino athletes conquering the international stage left and right over the past years, it is fitting that the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) continues its all-out support to these modern-day heroes.
That is what Richard Bachmann had in mind upon assuming post as the new chairman of the government sports agency at the start of the year.
Coming from big victories of golden girl Hidilyn Diaz from the Tokyo Olympics and the world weightlifting championships, and the consistent podium finishes of pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, and the national boxers, the task seems too tall for Bachmann. But he is eager.
In his first few weeks with the PSC, the former governor of the now-defunct Alaska Aces in the
PBA visited national team members in their training facilities in Metro Manila, Batangas and Baguio City.
He also met with key officials in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) headed by President Bambol Tolentino to fast-track the country’s preparations in several major tournaments lined up this year that include the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May, the 19th Asian Games in China in September, and various qualification tournaments for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I work best when I am on the ground – talking and listening to people I am supposed to serve,” Bachmann said.
Bachmann added he brings with him nearly three decades of experience in organized sports, as well as the Alaska Aces philosophy he has learned and valued over the years, which is “to win with integrity while helping our athletes become better individuals off the court.”
Among his primary agenda is the continuous financial support to athletes, reiterating that there would be no delays when it comes to monetary assistance.
“If there is any delay of allowances of any athlete, please delay my salary, too,” Bachmann said.
This got a major boost when the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) finally remitted and turned over ₱256.38 million to the PSC, which the agency can use to prepare athletes in several international tournaments including the upcoming SEA Games.
The amount is Pagcor’s mandated contribution to the PSC for November and December, amounting to ₱124.45 million and ₱131.93 million, respectively.
Enhancing the facilities of national athletes is also on Bachmann’s list, stating that there are a lot of improvements to be done based on his observations.
“We have a lot of work to do, but
I know we will be able to accomplish it slowly but surely,” he said.
Support, however, does not only come from money.
Boxer Carlo Paalam, one of the two silver medalists in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, simply summed up his experience of having met and seen the PSC chief at their training camp in Baguio City.
“The mere fact that he (Bachmann) visited us, talked to us, watched us train is already a big encouragement for us athletes who want to win more tournaments for the country,” said Paalam in
Filipino.