STILL on a high after the country’s historic finish in Tokyo, Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” yesterday renewed his call for a place the POC can call home.
“After 97 years, na-deliver na natin ang multi-medal (performance) and a first gold. But after 97 years, squatter pa rin, masakit man sabihin, informal settler pa ang POC so iyon ang No. 1 sa bucket list ko,” Tolentino said yesterday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association online Forum.
“Sinasabi ko na paano tayo makakapag-bigay ng inspiration sa mga mamamayan, sa mga kabataan, at sa ibang ibang atleta kung hindi nakikita iyong permanent office building ng POC na nandoon iyong museum, nandoon iyong memorabilia ni Hidilyn, nandoon iyong memorabilia ng 2020 Olympics, sa 2024, at susunod na taon at lahat ng sumali. Paano natin maibibigay iyon kapag walang permanent office building ang POC?” he posed.
Tolentino said the Philippine International Convention Center had thumbed down the POC’s request for a space at the Cultural Center of the Philippines grounds where its office could be built.
“Iyon ang No. 1 sa bucket list ko. May request ako sa ating Pangulo na mapagbigyan doon sa CCP Complex, which is very malapit, malawak, bukod doon sa Clark. Iyon na nga iyong isa sa inilalabas ko na with this performance natin ngayon in spite of that we were very successful,” Tolentino said in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Tolentino expressed the hope that the success of the country in Tokyo would pave the way for the POC to get a permanent office.
“After this, nagbigay tayo ng tagumpay, hindi ko alam if naalala pa nila iyong sulat ko. Iyon lang, iyong mga kaunting suporta na ganoon. Buti na lang marunong tayo mag-sakripisyo, kahit nagmi-meeting lang tayo sa isang coffee shop kasi alam niyo naman na sarado ang mga opisina natin dahil sa pandemic so wala tayong naging war room pero natuloy pa rin ‘di ba at naging successful tayo sa awa ng Panginoon,” he said.
