Mendoza: Hey, Ricky, start somewhere

UNITY has always been the trademark of Ricky Vargas’ leadership in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Right after he became POC president, Vargas extended the hand of peace to Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.

It stunned almost everybody, including deposed POC prexy Cojuangco.

You may recall that Cojuangco virtually used all his powers to block Vargas’ bid for the presidency.

But despite being disqualified on crooked, if not invented, election rules, Vargas eventually prevailed—with big help from the courts that threw out the window Cojuangco’s ill-fated political clout.

At first, Cojuangco rejected Vargas’ bid to lure him to join the new dispensation. But in the end, Cojuangco relented and he is now back into the good graces of Vargas.

But Vargas’ unification efforts did not stop there.

Today, he is deep into fixing warring factions within several sports associations, most notably in swimming.

He has made an impassioned plea for swim officials not only seeing eye to eye with each other but with different platforms and agenda as well to patch up their differences.

On one side is Lani Velasco, the president of the Philippine Swimming Inc., being opposed by a breakaway group headed no less by legendary swimmers in another era, Eric Buhain and Ral Rosario.

Eric and Ral had said they will hold their own tryouts for slots to the SEA Games set to start on Nov. 30 in the Philippines.

Velasco’s PSI is recognized by Vargas, who has called on Eric and Ral and their allies to finally link up with Velasco’s association.

“We all need to put our misunderstandings and heartaches aside and come together to get the best Filipino swimmers in the SEA Games,” said Vargas. “There is no need for acrimony and divisiveness. We can work this out. Lani has announced she is willing to do this. I call on other groups to cooperate and work as one for the country’s interest.”

Hey, Ricky, why not meet up with Eric and Ral, with Lani around? Now!

It’s like the Frenchman kissing a lady’s hand upon introduction: He needs to start somewhere.

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