Monday, August 06, 2007 USC sports head to ‘leave’ school for PSC post
IF plans don’t miscarry, Cebu will have its very first commissioner in the Philippine Sports Commission.
Fr. Vic Uy, the vice president for finance and at the same time athletic director of the University of San Carlos, was recommended by no less than Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairperson William “Butch” Ramirez to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Uy, whose background in sports include being president of the Private School Athletic Association (Prisaa) and the regional point person of the PSC, already met with the president when Ramirez introduced them during the wedding anniversary of the first couple.
“Though there will be other recommendations, the paperwork is already being processed and we will wait for the final say within the week,” said Ramirez yesterday during the press conference hosted by Chao Sy at the Hotel Fortuna.
Sy recently received his formal appointment as the Cebu province head of the Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas.
Ramirez said that it is high time for Cebu to be represented in the commission. PSC already has commissioners coming from Davao and Bacolod cities.
Bisaya
Ramirez, who is from Davao, served as commissioner for four years with another Davaoeño Leon Montemayor. Bacolod City has now congressman Monico Puentevella and Ritchie Garcia.
Ramirez, who is a true blue Bisaya, said that he is pushing for Cebu to be represented.
“I can’t change the playing field in the national level, so I go to the regions and Fr. Vic, is exactly the answer to any government agency, someone who has integrity,” said Ramirez.
As of the moment, Uy is serving as the special assistant to the chairman. Uy is expected to travel with the first gentleman Mike Arroyo to check on the athletes training abroad. They will be going to Guangzhou in the first week of September, before Los Angeles and San Francisco.
If appointed as commissioner, Ramirez wants Uy to hold the executive director post, which is being occupied in an acting capacity.
As to the important positions in the university and Prisaa, Ramirez said that he already spoke with USC president Fr. Rod Salazar.
Approval
“We already have his approval. We will have him on a one-year loan to the PSC. If he does good, who knows? He could be the new chairman,” Ramirez added.
Ramirez added that Uy had impressed him with his being a dynamic person.
“This will be like exploring a virgin territory for a religious man, but he has shown me that he is not the usual traditional priest, who is secluded in a box.
He has a vision for sports and he works ways to make them real,” said Ramirez. (MCB)
