Ramirez wants display of unity
For me, to avoid any debate, my idea is to have five or six people marching the flag
If Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez will have his way, the initial list of candidates for flag bearer will march together as a symbol of unity of the Filipinos in the coming 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Ramirez, who is also the chief of mission of Team Philippines, said having five or six flag bearers will definitely break the tradition, but would send a strong message that the Filipinos are united as they compete in the prestigious 11-nation tournament set from 30 November to 11 December at the New Clark City in Tarlac. Carlos Yulo of gymnastics and EJ Obiena of athletics head the list of potential flag bearers after punching a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics next year. Also included are Asian Games gold medalists Margie Didal of skateboarding and Felix Eumir Marcial of boxing and Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz.
Nesthy Petecio of boxing could also be included following her golden conquest in the International Boxing Association Women’s Boxing World Championship in Russia Sunday.
“For me, to avoid any debate, my idea is to have five or six people marching the flag. If we pick one, it could create controversy,” Ramirez said.
Traditionally, there’s only one flag bearer in a major international tournament.
Professional boxer Sen. Manny Pacquiao led the national delegation in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 while National Basketball Association player Jordan Clarkson did the honor in the Asian Games last year to join the likes of legends like Paeng Nepomuceno of bowling, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski of equestrian and Ian Larriba of table tennis.
Ramirez, however, wants an all-amateur cast of flag bearers to lead the 1,000-strong national squad in the biggest, most prestigious athletic meet in the region.
“It will be nice to see them marching together. And as the CDM (chief of mission), I want them to be marching and I want all amateurs,” he said.
Ramirez said the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the national sports associations (NSA) will decide on the issue but if they will solicit his advice, he will bat for more flag bearers.
“The POC and the NSA will discuss that but it will be nice if we see five or six of them marching together in front of our kababayans,” Ramirez said.