Give RP sports fresh start -Estrada

A vote of confidence.

That's what Presidential adviser on Youth and Sports Richard Gomez got from President Estrada, who told him yesterday to remain in his post and spearhead the move to give Philippine sports another fresh start.

It's actually a renewed call for everybody to help in giving RP sports a fresh start in general, and strengthen our chances in (Olympic) sports in particular, a source from the Gomez camp said.

The former national fencer and rower, who joined the President in yesterday's 53rd anniversary celebrations of the Development Bank of the Philippines in Makati City, vowed to exert all his efforts to help ensure the President's call will be carried out, the same source added.

Gomez was one of the P1/year presidential advisers who was spared in the Cabinet revamp the President made over the weekend with Mr. Estrada explaining that most of his advisers have no line functions, thus there is no duplication of work with his Cabinet members, in Gomez's case with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Carlos Tuason.

In fact, Gomez said he will be working with all the sectors involved, particularly the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee, to help implement the national sports programs even as he expressed confidence to tap the support of the private sector.

Topping Gomez's agenda is to strenghten and firm up the Filipino athletes' campaign in Olympic sports such as boxing and taekwondo in a bid to end the long quest for a first Olympic gold.

Aside from being an active sportsman, Gomez is also spearheading socio-civic projects like the Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga (MAD) and Kabataan Iwas Droga Sports (KIDS).