Mikee clinches PNSA presidency

It was not very clear if the board meeting of the Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) scheduled yesterday was going to culminate in an election.
No one could assure businessman-sportsman Mikee Romero before the meeting if he would be accepted by the board as a new director, a recognition that would make him eligible to run for PNSA president.
When Mikee dined with a small group of columnists at Gerry’s Grill on the eve of the meeting, everything was still up in the air, even though 11 of the PNSA’s 15 directors had committed to support his director’s bid.
Monday night, when the party broke up, everyone went home waiting for developments, including Mikee.
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The PNSA meeting was set at 3 p.m. at the PNSA offices in Pasig.
By 4 p.m., I received word from a source who was in the meeting that a debate was going on over the issue of whether or not to accept Mikee as a director. The debate was so heated the issue had to be resolved by balloting.
The result: 10 were in favor of giving Mikee a seat on the board, four were against it. A director was absent.
After the voting, Mikee and PNSA chair Boy Tronqued were both nominated for president.
The report I got as I write this is that Mikee won by unanimous vote, 14-0.
Now the Harbour Centre CEO can execute his plans to raise PNSA membership from 200 to 1,000, to include shooting in the sports curriculum of UAAP and the NCAA schools, and a host of others.
Congratulations, Mikee!
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So how did a harassed Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios feel the morning after the conclusion of 22nd Fiba-Asia Champions Cup?
“I’m glad it’s over,” said Sonny, who was praised and thanked profusely by Fiba Asia officials for the successful hosting of the prestigious event.
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My colleague Ronnie Nathanielsz is all excited. He’s leaving for Colombo on June 21 to watch the Philippines-Sri Lanka World Cup qualifying match.
He is excited for two reasons.
The hottest team in the country today, the Azkals, is representing the Philippines in the qualifiers, and second, Ronnie will have the chance to visit his country of birth after 30 long years.
Actually, Ronnie is more excited for his son Richard Marcos Nathanielsz, now 25, who is coming with him to see his father’s homeland and to get to know his relatives whom he has not met since birth.
Ronnie has lived in the Philippines for the last 50 years.
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With football being the second most popular sport in Sri Lanka next to cricket, I asked the veteran scribe if there was a chance the Azkals would win.
Without hesitation, he answered in the affirmative.
My next question: “And who would you be rooting for?”
Ronnie was again quick to answer. “The Philippines, of course. Please don’t forget I am a Filipino and proud to be one, although I value my Sri Lankan heritage.”
Ronnie is covering the AFC match on June 29 with Bob Guerrero. It will be telecast live on ABS-CBN’s Studio 23.