Count on Duterte to dig in for sports

IT’S ONE big topic that’s usually overlooked at the height of national presidential races: Would the eventual winner dare to do anything new or better for the country’s sports program?

Will Digong (Duterte) dig in for Philippine sports?

This was raised by veteran sportswriter Percy Della, beloved son of Cuyapo (Nueva Ecija), in his last column.

READ: Will Digong dig in for PH sports?

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Well, it goes without saying Mr. Duterte will pitch in, hard as he can, to resuscitate Philippine sports.

My friend Percy cannot be blamed for raising the issue.

For one, Percy was the first to have observed how physically handicapped Filipino athletes have brought many honors to the country in international meets, while most of our regular national players continued to fumble and perform lamely abroad.

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It will be first things first for the presumptive president, meaning Duterte will readily start his campaign against hardened criminals and evil drug lords.

But he won’t let problems of Philippine sports go unattended indefinitely.

For one, Duterte is not the type who would involve himself in sports by cutting ribbons or sending off national contingents.

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Something has got to be done quick, and Duterte knows fully well how Philippine sports has slipped to its sorriest state under the P-Noy Aquino watch.

He can be expected to give Philippine sports a hands-on official push.

The man loves great competitions.

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He would stay up to the wee hours of morning to see boxing bouts in Davao promotions to the last.

He has been working these past years for sports development in Mindanao in a quiet tie-up with various private and religious groups.

He was there at ringside in Macau in November 2013 to witness Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring after the nightmarish loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

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Duterte was seen cheering, celebrating at ringside as Pacquiao proceeded to give a masterful performance against Brandon Rios.

If  anything, it was in that event in Macau where Duterte experienced an early mobbing adulation from hopeful OFWs, who would later help vote him into power.

Sports columnist Bill Velasco was right, Duterte will not be wanting in experts around him who could help bring Philippine sports back to the winning column.

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Foremost among the experts is former PSC chair Butch Ramirez, who has long been pushing for the establishment of a national sports academy.

Ramirez has been batting for the streamlining of the national sports program, one to be run and managed by credentialed and properly trained sportsmen.

This can only mean the next PSC chair will not be another do-nothing political appointee.