Thomson: An honor, privilege to serve PSC

Akiko Thomson showed a lot of poise, a lot of promise in her first day at the office.

“I want to do something good in the short term that I’m here,” said the former swimming sensation and the newest commissioner at the Philippine Sports Commission.

“My appointment here is temporary (as it is co-terminus with the President’s term),” she added.

Thomson, a veteran of the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympics, said it’s such an honor to be chosen from among a long list of candidates for the post vacated by Jose Mundo.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity. It’s such an honor and privilege,” said Thomson who received her formal appointment papers from Malacañang last Friday.

While she was considered for the post as early as 2006, Thomson said she didn’t expect it to come through.

“No. I have heard in the past that my name would come out — but not until it was there. So when it happened I was very surprised,” she told reporters inside her new office.

Thomson was secretary-general of the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association at the time of her appointment. One of the first things she did was to give up the PASA post.

“I had to give it up,” she said.

Then Thomson talked about her plans as PSC commissioner.

“The most basic thing here is that the basic needs of the athletes. I don’t want to keep re-inventing the wheel. Let’s just sustain the programs here,” she explained.

“And I know what my responsibilities are. Now I have to look after wrestling, taekwondo, shooting, cycling, fencing, judo, arnis, Philspada (sports for the disabled) and some women sports,” she said.

She asked for some time before she could really get going.

“Right now I’m just gathering all the information I’d need. I want to see how I can help so give me time to assess where I am right now. I’m still learning about the PSC.

“It’s very broad. And maybe I can help (fostering) harmony within and between the PSC and the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) and the NSAs (national sports associations),” she added.

“What I’m realizing more and more is that there’s a lot of politics in sports. But it’s just a matter of doing things right, following the proper procedure and being transparent.”

Thomson said she’s not going to Beijing for the Olympics as she has to attend to the athletes who won’t be part of the Games.