Kumambiyo si Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez sa nauna nitong pahayag na hindi nito tatanggapin ang pagkakatalaga sa kanya bilang chef de mission ng Team Philippines sa darating na 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
“Last night, I was given firm instructions which I shall carry out, knowing beyond any doubt that national interest is primary concern of government, and should be all of it. I humbly accept the chef de mission post for Team Philippines’ 2019 SEA Games participation,” wika ni Ramirez sa isang press conference sa PSC ngayong araw.
Patuloy din umano ang kanyang pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanyang mga superiors sa Malacanang, maging ang pag-monitor at pag-assess sa kalagayan ng sports sa bansa.
Una nang sinabi ni POC president Ricky Vargas na si Ramirez umano ang pinaka-qualifed para sa naturang posisyon.
“He is the most qualified. Many are, but he is the most qualifed to handle this job. And I thank him for accepting and reconsidering,” ani Vargas.
Dahil dito, papalitan ni Ramirez si Philippine Taekwondo Association secretary-general at Olympian Monsour del Rosario makaraang sibakin ito ni Vargas at iba pang mga opisyal noong Lunes.
Sisimulan ni Ramirez ang kanyang panibagong tungkulin sa pag-schedule ng isang meeting kasama ang mga presidente at secretay-general ng iba’t ibang national sports associations (NSA).
Sa kanyang pahayag noong Martes, iginiit ni Ramirez na patuloy pa rin ang kanyang pagtulong sa pag-host ng bansa ng 2019 SEA Games kahit hindi siya ang umupong chef de mission.
Bukas din umano si Ramirez na pangunahan ang isang dialogue sa pagitan ng magkaibang paksyon sa loob ng POC.
“As the Chairman of the PSC, I call upon all our sports leaders to step back and take a moment to consider peaceful interactions. I still believe that we can all sit down and civilly thresh out what needs to be straightened out. The PSC is open to host a dialogue between parties and provide neutral ground for everyone to air their side and ultimately to either sacrifice or step-up in the interest of a unified sporting community.
“We are hosting what we our working very hard on to be the biggest SEAG edition, we are making every possible effort to make 2020 a memorable year with the country’s first Olympic gold and we are running on the fuel of our dreams to finally have infrastructure and facilities that will show the levelled-up fervor of our country in strengthening the foothold of sports. We have our plates full and it is at this time, more than ever, that we need everyone moving in the same direction.
“The PSC Board will be diligently observing and will not be shy to take drastic measures, in the midst of these developments,†anang opisyal.
