‘It will take a village’

PSC chairman Richard (Dicky) Bachmann’s personal history is imbedded in sports. His late father Kurt was a major influence in basketball, having played on championship teams in the NCAA and MICAA with stints in the 1959 FIBA World Cup, 1960 Olympics and 1962 Asian Games during a checkered career. It was destined that Bachmann would follow in his father’s footsteps. Bachmann saw action on two UAAP title squads and as Alaska’s first-round pick in the 1993 PBA draft, played on eight pro championship teams with the Aces. When his playing career ended, Bachmann became an Alaska assistant coach and added four more PBA crowns to his collection. And when his coaching career came to a close, Bachmann was elevated to the position of team manager and later, Alaska sports director with a focus on building a grassroots foundation for basketball, football and volleyball.

Because of his background, Bachmann was the perfect choice to oversee affairs related to sports on a corporate level. He represented Alaska in the PBA Board of Governors and later, coordinated the smooth transition from Alaska to Converge in the franchise purchase, took charge of launching the PBA’s 3x3 initiative as chairman, assisted SBP in laying the groundwork for the roll-out of the FIBA World Cup and was appointed UAAP basketball commissioner. So when President Marcos named Bachmann as PSC chairman late last year, the Chief Executive put the right man in the saddle.

From his years in sports, Bachmann said he has always been inspired by this Nelson Mandela quote: “Sports has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire…it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does…it speaks to youth in a language they understand.” And another quote that is now Bachmann’s mantra is “it takes a village to win an Olympic gold,” repeating pole vaulter EJ Obiena’s perspective in his quest at the Paris Games. The phrase “it takes a village” is an old proverb attributed to African culture, calling on a collective effort to get a job done as in “an entire community of people to provide for and interact positively” in achieving a goal. In Bachmann’s context, it’s working together or unifying the public and private sectors to support PSC’s programs.

“Sports has always held a special place in every Filipino breaking borders and uniting people from all walks of life,” said Bachmann in a speech before the Rotary Club of Manila last week. “It has the unique ability to instill discipline, teamwork and a spirit of sportsmanship. The success of our national athletes on the global stage brings pride and honor to the country.” He cited the country’s four golds, two silvers and 12 bronzes at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the 10 golds, four silvers and five bronzes at the Asian Para Games. “While we appreciate these feats, we know that we are still far behind in many aspects and by investing in improving and nurturing our sporting talents, we are not only building champions but also strengthening the national identity of our country in the sporting world,” he pointed out.

Bachmann said with the challenge of developing sports from grassroots to elite across the country, PSC can’t do it alone. Raising P3.7 billion for capital expenses is a priority and Bachmann is banking on sports leaders and enthusiasts from the Senate and House to rally behind his efforts. Rotarian Hermie Esguerra, a known sportsman, stepped up after Bachmann’s speech, to pledge P1 million and said he hopes it will drive more corporate donors to back PSC.