Newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Noli Eala yesterday raised the need for a complete board of commissioners that will help him run the country's sports agenda.
In a telephone conversation with Daily Tribune, the 59-year-old Eala revealed that he nominated five executives who will fill the remaining three slots in the PSC board of commissioners.
He refused to name names but assured that all of them are very much qualified as they are considered as experts in their respective fields who could help him manage Philippine sports.
"There's no politics here. All of them are experts in their respective fields," said Eala, who buckled down to work as soon as he was appointed as PSC chief on 30 August.
"When I was appointed as PSC chairman, I asked them (Office of the President) if I can nominate the remaining three commissioners. They said 'okay' so I prepared a shortlist of five names. It's now up to them if they will appoint my nominees or not."
He said having commissioners who are familiar with his work ethics and brand of leadership is crucial to his job as the country's top sports executive.
"It's important to have a PSC board that is working in harmony," he said, adding that former PSC chief William "Butch" Ramirez was also asked for nominees during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016.
Eala said the first nominee is an expert in finance administration who will help him run the day-to-day operations of the government funding arm of sports.
The second is an expert in sports science, sports management and national sports association affairs who can help him reach out to the athletes, coaches and other sports officials, making sure that their relationship with the stakeholders will be smooth and hassle-free.
He stressed that his third nominee is a former city administrator and sports executive.
Since the PSC will be working closely with local government units in its grassroots project, it is very crucial that he has somebody who can help him reach out to local executives from the governors down to the members of the barangay councils.
He added that he also nominated an educator who is a doctor of statistics and technology savvy.
His main job, he said, is to monitor the performance of national athletes and coaches under the jurisdiction of the PSC.
"I want my administration to be database-driven," said Eala, an Ateneo de Manila University-educated lawyer and former basketball official.
"There should be no guesswork here. We have to measure everything that can be measured to make sure that we're doing things right."
Eala said he also nominated an entrepreneur with very good marketing skills who can tap the private sector for sponsorships and collaborations.
"That person will play a key role in helping us solicit support from the private sector," said Eala, who introduced a lot of innovations during his stints as commissioner of the PBA, founder of Liga Pilipinas and executive director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
"I want to focus on marketing our sports program."
Eala added that with a seasoned athlete in Olivia "Bong" Coo occupying the first seat in the powerful PSC board, he is confident that his goals for the PSC will be realized.
"As we know, Comm. Bong covers the athletes and women in sports sectors," he said.
"If we have her plus three more 'experts' then I am confident that we can realize our goals for Philippine sports."
"Ayaw ko ng may patay na baraha. I want everybody to bring something to the table."
"But more that that, I want to use sports to help our President fulfill his campaign promise of unity and nation-building.
