Settling NSA disputes among Vargas’ top priorities

A new era in Philippine sports has started to unfold, sparked by the change of leadership in the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. will formally turn over the control of the local Olympic body to newly elected president Ricky Vargas on Tuesday in a special gathering of the POC executive board.

President Duterte encouraged Vargas and incoming POC chair Abraham Tolentino to work for the benefit of the athletes during their oath-taking in Malacañang on Monday.

“The President told us to do our best for the athletes,” said Vargas.

Philippines Sports Commission Chair Butch Ramirez attended the induction along with POC executives Patrick Gregorio, Karen Caballero, Ed Picson, also the boxing executive director, and Vargas’ wife Gloria.

Also on Tuesday, the POC election committee, headed by former International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde, will report the result of the elections held Feb. 23 to the 12-man executive board.

Vargas sealed the POC presidency after getting the nod of the majority of the national sports associations and defeating Cojuangco, 24-15, during the polls at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

“We will settle the NSAs (national sports associations) disputes so the athletes won’t suffer,” said Vargas, also president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap).

Tolentino, a Cavite representative and the cycling president, will also assume his new position during the turnover ceremony at 3 p.m. while Vargas will present a motion to the board recommending Gregorio, currently Abap vice president, as his secretary general.