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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ramirez: We need private sector support

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INCOMING Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez on Tuesday said even with the support from government, the PSC will still need help from the private sector to make things happen.

“The government cannot do it alone. We need corporate support,” said Ramirez, all set to return to his old post and take over outgoing PSC chairman Richie Garcia.

Ramirez, PSC chief from 2005 to 2009, was tapped by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to head the government sports agency. They are long-time allies in Davao City, and Ramirez played a key role in the recent campaign.

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“I have a scheduled meeting with two members of the private sector this Saturday,” said Ramirez, who graced Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate, and was joined by new PSC commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Arnold Agustin, Charles Maxey and Fatima Celia Kiram. 

Incoming PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez (center) reveals his sports programs during a guesting at the PSA Forum in Shakeyís Malate. He is joined by PSC Commissioners Ramon Fernandez (left) and Celia Kiram (right). EY ACASIO

Ramirez will take his oath as new PSC chairman on June 30, while the four commissioners will be sworn in in Malacanang on July 1. 

Ramirez said he will continue to reach out to the top officials of government-owned-and-controlled corporations like the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., which remits as much as P50 million from its monthly gross income to the PSC, and the Philippine Racing Commission.

“Then we will sit down with more members of the private sector,” said Ramirez, who was PSC chief when the Philippines hosted the 2005 SEA Games and won the overall title for the first time.

During that successful campaign, the private sector, through the initiatives of former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, contributed heavily and made sure the athletes had everything they needed in terms of training and preparation.  

Ramirez said this early, the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee, with the help of government and private sector, should look forward to the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia and the 2019 SEA Games to be held in Manila.

“The private sector can help take care of our athletes,” said the 66-year-old educator from Davao, referring to the old and tested Godfather program, where a private corporation or individual can choose an individual athlete or a team to fund.

 “Direct support,” said Ramirez in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

 But to make all these happen, the PSC and the POC plus the different national sports associations  must continue to produce talents and victories, especially in the international arena like the SEA Games, Asian Games, World Championships and Olympics.

 Ramirez said the PSC under his watch will make sure the athletes are taken cared of, starting off with providing them with adequate training facilities in the country, and the needed international exposure.

 “You cannot tap the private sector without a good plan,” he said.

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