AS OF this writing, no announcement has been made yet for the new Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman to serve for the term of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. But if we look at the circumstances in the last six years, Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez perfectly fits to still handle the position and continue his enormous projects.
In the world of sports, the Duterte administration is dubbed “The Golden Year of Philippine Sports,” and Chairman Butch is also undoubtedly behind the success. There was a little silence on his side, but the noise would refer to him as the leader who made it possible.
Although the Philippine Olympics Committee has the primary responsibility for the country’s participation in international competitions like the Olympics Games, the PSC adopted training programs for the development of athletes and their preparation for international competitions.
Chairman Butch was always there calling the shots. He raised the standards to world-class levels.
In the last six years, the government’s sports agency was not only there to support national athletes, but Chairman Butch strengthened the implementation of a genuine grassroots sports program in the peripheries in cooperation with the Department of Education and local government units (LGUs) through one of his major programs, the Philippine Sports Institute.
From Batanes to Tawi-Tawi and the islands in between, PSC has conducted a series of PSC-LGU planning for the creation of a comprehensive sports development plan to ensure inclusivity of sports.
This means sports activities are not only for athletes, but PSC has encouraged wide participation of all sectors in amateur sports promotion and development.
It has given sports programs for persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, senior citizens, children in conflict with the law, and even families to bond together like in Laro’t Saya sa Parke. This draws Filipino families into playing and learning sports together.
Chairman Butch is called the country’s sports czar. Since the time of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2005 to 2009 and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte from 2016 to present, he brought historic titles to Asian Games with four gold medals each.
And who would forget the 2020 Olympics when we bagged one gold medal courtesy of Hidilyn Diaz, two silver medals by Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and one bronze medal by Eumir Marcial?
He is the only chairman at the helm of three Olympics – 2008, 2016, and 2020. In all these events, his humility to listen to the needs of the Philippine team and his leadership to make things happen spelled all the significant differences.
Another Olympics with him leading the sports agency in the country will continue the momentum. With him, all that glistens is gold.
He was an educator who wanted to become a priest in his younger years before he committed himself to sports. This must be the reason why his values are so intact and he knows the ways of the shepherd.
He is much more capable than we know.
Just like incoming Secretary of Finance Benjamin E. Diokno who has served the government since the time of President Corazon Aquino as undersecretary and presently the Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, he will serve again for the next six years to improve the country’s financial resources.
And so with Chairman Butch for the development of sports in the country. Again, he is much more capable than we know.