A different role for Goma

JAKARTA – Richard Gomez had been to quite a handful of major international competitions playing various sports ranging from shooting to rowing to volleyball and fencing.

Now, he’s back at the Asian Games – not as an athlete but as head of delegation.

Gomez said being a former athlete has its advantage in his new role as chief of mission in this prestigious quadrennial meet.

He said he could easily relate to the athletes.

“Being a former athlete has its own advantage,” said Gomez told Daily Tribune whose coverage here is supported by Primehomes. “You understand their plight, struggles in training and sacrifices.”

“Actually, taking care of our athletes is no rocket science. They just want to be taken care of and pampered. I already went through what they’re going through now, so I already know how to motivate them.”

Gomez served as the face of the Philippine Team the past couple of decades.

He started his sporting career as a rower in the Manila Southeast Asian Games in 1991 and finished it as a volleyball player in the AVC Asian Men’s Club Championship in Manila in 2014.