ni VA @Sports | Nov. 9, 2024
Photo: Sina Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, first VP Al Panlilio at dating pangulong si Ricky Vargas.
Programang tuloy-tuloy at magandang samahan sa Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) ang asam ni Al Panlilio sa muli niyang paghahanap ng puwesto bilang POC first vice president sa ilalim ng tiket ni reelectionist president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. “I believe in his lea¬dership,” saad ni Panlilio kay Tolentino.
“And I will talk to him on how to sustain our programs or surpass it for the athletes and Philippines sports.” Nakamit ng Pilipinas sa ilalim ng liderato nina Tolentino at Panlilio ang kauna-unahang Olympic gold medal mula kay weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz noong 2021 sa Tokyo.
Hindi nagtagal ay dalawang ginto naman ang nasungkit ni gymnast Carlos Yulo mula sa Paris Games. “Our sports are p¬rogressing after Hidilyn Diaz won gold in the Tokyo Olympics, and now we won two golds courtesy of Carlos Yulo in Paris,” saad pa ni Panlilio, pangulo ng Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
“We have to surpass previous achievements and provide for sustainable platforms for our athletes.” Nakapetsa ang pilian ng bagong liderato sa POC sa Nobyembre 29 sa East Ocean Seafood Restaurant sa Parañaque City.
Panibagong termino ang naghihintay kina Tolentino at Panlilio kasama si 2nd VP Richard Gomez. POC Working Team ang tawag ni Tolentino sa kanyang tiket kasama sina Dr. Jose Raul Canlas ng surfing (treasurer) at Donaldo “Don” Caringal (auditor) ng volleyball at sina Alvin Aguilar (wrestling), Leonora “Lenlen” Escollante (canoe, kayak and dragon boat), Alexander “Ali” Sulit (judo), Ferdinand “Ferdie” Agustin (jiu-jitsu) at Leah Jalandoni Gonzales (fencing) bilang Executive Board members. Pagkakaisa rin sa lahat ng national sports associations ang pinanawagan ni Panlilio.