Hontiveros backs new leaders

For a longtime sports leader like Steve Hontiveros, rallying behind the new leaders of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is the right thing to do.

An old hand in Philippine sports, Hontiveros said it is time to bury the hatchet and unite for the sake of the athletes and their quest for the country’s first gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

“If we care about Philippine sports, politics should be set aside,” Hontiveros said as he looks forward to his role as POC chairman alongside a new set of elected officers headed by reelected Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

We all share a common goal and that is for the betterment of Philippine sports.

Hontiveros, who heads handball, and director Charlie Ho of netball, were the only candidates who won under the ticket of archery chief Clint Aranas during last week’s POC elections.

But instead of going the opposite route, Hontiveros has pledged to join hands with Tolentino and newly-elected POC officers like 1st vice president Al Panlilio, 2nd vice president Richard Gomez, treasurer Cynthia Carrion, auditor Chito Loyzaga and directors Pearl Managuelod, Dave Carter and Dr. Jose Raul Canlas.

“I am committed to help,” Hontiveros said.

“We all share a common goal and that is for the betterment of Philippine sports.” Hontiveros’ stint with the new POC team will run up until 2024 and he is raring to buckle down to work.

“It ‘s going to be a big 2021 for us with the Tokyo Olympics and the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi,” he said.

With Hontiveros vowing to become a team player, it seems Tolentino is on the right track in his pursuit to lead Philippine sports in the next four years.