Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno-Domagoso has formally named former national team member Dale Evangelista as chairman of the Manila Sports Council (MASCO), one of the key appointments made by the incoming chief in his first day in office on Monday.

The 46-year-old Evangelista played for the national water polo team in various international competitions and helped the coaching staff for several years under then mentor Rey Galang.

Moreno is keen on improving Manila’s sports program, particularly the grassroots level with high hopes of discovering new talents for the national team.

“I’m very much thankful to be given an opportunity by Mayor Isko to serve our beloved City of Manila and for his trust and confidence. It’s such a huge honor,” said Evangelista, who served as chairman of Barangay 56 in Tondo.

“The instruction of Mayor Isko is very clear — he wants to see programs that will help our grassroots development, he wants to see athletes from the city capital make the national team, and he wants these things to be standardized to ensure continuity within the Manila Sports Council program.”

Evangelista said the focus now is to form a strong Team Manila for Batang Pinoy this year in General Santos City.