COMMENTARY: PASSION FOR SPORTS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 14 Apr 2010
We fervently hope that whoever becomes president after the May 10 elections will pay attention to sports which, after all, is the bedrock of any effort to instill the qualities of discipline, hard work, dedication, fair play and sportsmanship among our youth who must surely be the hope of the future as a seemingly hopeless generation fades away.
It would be useful in the spirit of togetherness rather than the over-used term ?reconciliation? for the incoming president to reflect on the time President Marcos led the country and gave the recognition and attention sports and youth development richly deserved. Never mind anything else.
His nephew, Michael Keon, a dynamic young man at that time and certainly a hard-working, hands-on governor of Ilocos Norte who mingles with the people like no other has done on a sustained and genuine basis today, lifted the Philippines from the mediocrity it had plunged into at the Asean level to the competitive standards of the Southeast Asian Games and eventually the Asian Games.
Michael knew what needed to be done, and did it. He refused to bow to any form of pressure, political or otherwise, had a blueprint for success, implemented it and achieved most of the goals he had set for the Philippines during his time.
His leadership was characterized by unsullied integrity, remarkable care and concern for our athletes and a hands-on presence that inspired the young men and women as well as the trainers and other officials who drew strength from his presence.
Michael anchored an era that produced the likes of Asia?s sprint queen Lydia de Vega, the explosive 400 meter champion Isidro del Prado, steeplechaser Hector Begeo, hurdlers Renato Unso and Agrifina de la Cruz, swimmer Billy Wilson, tennis star Pia Tamayo and a host of others who did our nation proud.
We recall that then Press Secretary Franciso ?Kit? Tatad and National Media Production Center head, the late Greg Cendana, never wavered when there was a need to commit the government television network?s equipment and men and women to covering sports events and providing the exposure that our athletes needed and sports in general wanted, in order to make an imprint in the consciousness of our people.
We recall the time we had the privilege of heading the Maharlika Broadcasting System when MBS was way ahead of all other networks in sports where we lived by the slogan MBS ?where sports is special and always spectacular.? President Marcos wanted it that way, Kit Tatad and Greg Cendana did what Marcos wanted because they appreciated its value and Mike Keon did what he wanted and President Marcos understood and believed in. Regrettably, there is no such empathy today although NBN and dzSR Sports Radio for all their financial difficulties and shortcomings are doing what must be regarded as a yeoman?s job given the hardships they face.
How then do we draw lessons from a worthy past and search for men and women who will, in a sense, bring back the glory days of Philippine sports which is the essence of our calling in the present time and circumstance.
One way to achieve this would be to bring back the gentlemen who live and are more than willing to serve, into the mainstream of national life.
Michael Keon is seeking re-election as governor of Ilocos Norte and painfully must face the challenge posed by the late president Marcos? daughter Imee. At the risk of incurring the displeasure of the family of the late President for whom we shall always retain the greatest respect, affection and loyalty, the entry of Imee Marcos to challenge Michael Keon is, in our own humble opinion, inexplicable, because there is no way the peoples needs can be served by someone who is never around.
As for Kit Tatad who will surely bring, once again, a committed work ethic, intelligence and integrity to the Senate which certainly can do with a full measure of these qualities that have been steadily eroded through the years. In Kit Tatad the wonderful world of sports may find a kindred spirit while if Ferdinand "BongBong" Marcos is anything like his late father then he, together with Michael Keon and Kit Tatad can once again lift our spirits and re-kindle the flame of hope that hasn?t really died within the souls of millions of Filipinos who love their sports - and their country - with an unbelievable passion.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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