Bowling icon Olivia “Bong’’ Coo. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Bowling icon Olivia “Bong’’ Coo will sit as one of the commissioners of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Coo got the confirmation from Malacanang on Tuesday through the PSC with no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially signing her appointment papers.
“I’m grateful to the Lord and I want to express my gratitude to President Marcos for the trust and confidence. I’m glad to be of help to our athletes. I’m so overwhelmed, surprised to be appointed. This is a dream come true,’’ Coo told the Inquirer.
As PSC commissioner, Coo will sit on the board as one of the policy-making pillars in Philippine sports focused on the welfare of Filipino national athletes.
Coo, who was recently elected as Philippine Bowling Federation president, received the sealed envelope designating her as one of the four commissioners from PSC officer-in-charge Atty. Guillermo Iroy in a visit at the latter’s office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
“I will have to resign as PBF president. I’m very thankful to our President for this appointment. It’s an honor to serve Philippine sports and our athletes,’’ said Coo, a four-time world bowling champion and the most decorated Filipino athlete regardless of gender in any sport.
Named one of the Greatest International Bowlers of All-Time by the Bowlers Journal International, the 74-year-old international bowling hall of famer became a coach, a physical education instructor before Coo served as PBF secretary general.
Coo is the chairwoman of the Women in Sports Commission of the Philippine Olympic Committee, an advocacy that she vowed to continue at the PSC.
“I will focus more on sports excellence, especially on women in sports. Our Pinay athletes have been accomplishing great things lately,’’ said Coo.
Four more seats will be filled in the PSC board with three more commissioners and the chairman still to be named.