Manny Piñol to POC, PSC: Go down to the roots

PSA Annual Awards

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Sec. Manny Piñol last night urged the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee to concentrate on developing homegrown athletes as the country tries to regain its sporting glory in the international front.

Speaking at the SMC-Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Awards Night at the Manila Hotel, Piñol, a former sportswriter, columnist and boxing analyst before he ventured into public service, said going local is the way to go.

“The PSC and POC should concentrate on developing homegrown talents. But like in agriculture, there should be a road-map to tackle this development,” Piñol said.

Piñol joined the country’s oldest media organization in honoring the best of the best in 2017, led by world champions Jerwin Ancajas, Krizziah Tabora and Carlo Biado.

Reigning International Boxing Federation super-flyweight holder Ancajas, 53rd QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup women’s ruler Tabora, and 2017 World 9-ball kingpin Biado shared the Athlete of the Year accolade for their outstanding feats last year.

They led a total of 105 honorees ranging from age group athletes to elite bets to outstanding sports leaders, led by patron Manny V. Pangilinan and the Phl bid team that successfully clinched the hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Pangilinan’s group received the President’s Award in the formal affair presented by Milo and Cignal TV.

The country’s top officials, led by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez, newly elected Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas, were also on hand to join sportswriters in honoring the achievers of 2017.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Corp. big boss Ramon Ang and Standard Insurance’s Jude Echauz also shared the Executive of the Year award while the Triathlon Association of the Philippines was named the National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year.