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Monday, July 24, 2006
PSC Chief Ramirez appointed to challenging post for Asian Games
By Marian C. Baring
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
Philippine Sports Commission head William "Butch" Ramirez was recently installed as the Chief de Mission for the RP team in the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar this December.
His appointment by the Philippine Olympic Committee erases the notion that he be replaced as PSC chairman anytime soon.
"At first they (his detractors) were circulating stories that my term will be terminated by June 30, and then July 22. Bisan sunod muingon sila na sa December 31 na pagkatapos ng Asian Games," Ramirez said, when he met with Cebu media Saturday night.
Ramirez has recently been the target of reports from one newspaper charging him as being corrupt following an alleged talk that he embezzled a certain amount of money. He dismisses it simply by telling the reporters to check their paper trail, which ended the controversy.
Nothing wrong
"I stood my ground because I know I was not doing anything wrong. I don't think I will be named chief of delegations if the POC thinks that I have a questionable character," he said.
Ramirez' tenure seems to be long term after President Arroyo "ordered" him to make sure to get the first Olympic gold in Beijing in 2007.
Ramirez said that he take things in stride one step at a time and is focusing his attention on the Asiad, where he is hoping to get at least five golds.
"We can pull this off. We may only have about four months to practice, but building up champions do not take months, but years. Champions are not made through miracles, but through hard work," he said.
As for the moment, 300 athletes from 17 events are already undergoing trainings abroad.
By tomorrow (Tuesday), he will be formalizing an arrangement, increasing the athletes' pocket money and allowances from $30 per day to $60, especially those, who are training in a country, where they are not given free board and lodging by their host nations.
Motivation
Also, as a motivation for athletes, he will be giving them $300 each during the games, just like what he did in the SEA Games, where the Philippines bagged the over-all title for the first time in the meet's existence.
"Sabi namin nuon, if mag-third (in Sea Games), okay, if second, fiesta, if mag-champion, milagro. I really appreciate the resilience of our athletes because despite of the lack of training, the funds, they continue to bring glory to their country," he added.
Despite given only P28 million budget by the government that they have make do with for the entire year, PSC is setting aside P30 million for the Asiad. The money comes from the assistance given by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. through the National Sports Development Fund.
Suggestion
PSC can only afford to send 149 athletes, choosing only the best, but Ramirez said the number could increase if POC is willing to spend more.
Meanwhile, upon the suggestion of some NSAs, to cut cost in the coming Asiad, the athletes may not be given an additional uniform for the opening parade, but would only be wearing their uniforms.
Traditionally, athletes always wear a separate set of costume for the parade of the games, more usually than not, displaying the countrys' national costumes or colors.
In the SEA Games, the Filipino athletes donned barong tagalogs.
Ramirez said that if POC will decide not give the athlete parade uniforms, he will squeeze it in the budget to make sure that the athletes will be given a set each.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 24, 2006 issue)
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