Araneta blazes new trail
This is my first time to become a CDM so it will be a challenging role for me
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta faces a new challenge and he’s not backing down to the test.
Araneta was named the chief of mission (CDM) for the country’s participation in next year’s Tokyo Olympics in Japan and he admitted this is a new battlefield for him.
“This is my first time to become a CDM so it will be a challenging role for me,” said Araneta, who was informed last Friday that he’s being considered for the job previously held by Joey Romasanta.
“But still, I was surprised with my appointment. I will study the matter and in fact next week, I will be flying to Japan for the CDMs’ workshop.”
Araneta, one of only five Asian males among 35 members of the International Football Federation (FIFA) council, said the first thing he will do is sit down with the national sports associations (NSA) that are undergoing qualifying tournaments for the 2020 Games.
In 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, 13 athletes represented the country in Brazil with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz winning the silver medal in the women’s 53-kilogram class.
Araneta said he wouldn’t make any projection on how many athletes will qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
“Our goal is to help the NSA to have their athletes to qualify in the Olympics. Right now, we can’t tell how many will go to Tokyo,” the PFF chief added.
Araneta’s appointment was announced yesterday during the first general assembly of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) under its new president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
Newly elected POC chairman Steve Hontiveros of handball presided the assembly along with Tolentino and secretary general Atty. Edwin Gastanes of football.
Gastanes’ appointment was also approved by the assembly, along with those of deputy secretary-general for NSA Affairs Richard Gomez of fencing, constitutional amendments committee chairman Ricky Vargas, membership committee chairman Gen. Lucas Managuelod of muay, spokesman Rep. Chiqui Roa-Puno, communications director Ed Picson of boxing, general counsel Atty. Alberto Agra of obstacle sports and women in sports chairperson Cynthia Carrion, also a POC board member.