FIBA-ASIA UNSUNG HEROES
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Aug 2013
MANILA(PNA)-- Much has been said about the success of the just-concluded FIBA Asia Championship in terms of the country?s hosting the biennial tournament and its second place finish on the way to qualifying in next year?s World Cup in Spain.
Not everybody knows though that had it not for the some 250 volunteers who manned the groups that worked under the Local Organizing Committee, the Philippines would not have enjoyed the appreciation it is now receiving from all the national delegations representing 15 countries that took part in the 11-day conclave from August 1-11.
?Yes, marami nang naisulat, especially on our Gilas Pilipinas? recapturing our deserved place in the World Championshi, pero halos wala tungkol sa mga taong nagkaisang tumulong a para maging matagumpay ang ating hosting,? Samahang Basketboil Ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios related yesterday in the SCOOP Sa Kamayan session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.
?All I can say is that we could not have reconfirmed our world-famous organizational skills kung hindi sa mga kabataang ito who really served unselfishly in order that the event would be a resounding success,? Barrios said, who acted as Chief Executive Officer of the LOC and was a guest at the session along with his deputy Mauricio ?Moying? Martelino.
?Siguro nasa mga 250 volunteers, plus or minus, ang talagang nagtulong-tulong to ensure that all the requirements specified by the LOC have all been implemented,? Barrios disclosed.
?Of course, there was Boss MVP (business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan), who was chair of the LOC, to oversee everything was done in order,? the former PBA commissioner said.
?Mr. Ricky Vargas, chair of the executive board, Mr. Al Panlilio, president of the MVP Sports Foundation and Mr. Pato Gregorio, founding executive director of SBP were all there,? Martelino, for his part quipped.
?But the people who really did the dirty works, so to speak, are the men and women under the different working groups in charge of the transportation service, hotels accommodations, operations, media, medical, including the doping section, secretariat and marketing,?
Martelino former long-time secretary general of the Asian Basketball Confederation (now FIBA Asia) remark.
?Sila ang matatawag naging ?unsung heroes? ng ating hosting,? he said.
?Sila ang nauutusan, nakakagalitan, paminsan-minsan namumura pa. They formed the team that really made our hosting a very successful one. They were the ones who also made our guests stay in the country a very memorable and enjoyable.?
Martelino made special mention of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police for their making the say of all members of the delegations safe.
?Both the MMDA and the PNP made the traffic from the athletes? quarters at Dusit Hotel to the playing venue at the Mall of Asia Arena as fast and easy as could be,? he said. ?Not only me but the players, team officials expressed amazement how they made the travel from Dusit to MoA lasted to an average of only 20 minutes.?
MVP, according to Barrios, tendered a thanksgiving party for the volunteers and presented them with token appreciation for the job well done.
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