MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Sports Commission has a new chairman in former PBA commissioner and sports broadcaster Noli Eala.
Malacañang appointed Eala to head the government sports agency’s efforts in sustaining a highly successful sports program highlighted by the nation’s first Olympic gold medal through the heroics of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz last year in Tokyo.
STATEMENT: We confirm the appointment of Mr. Noli Eala as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission. pic.twitter.com/Zw3lEYU899
— Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles (Archived) (@SecCruzAngeles) August 30, 2022
Eala served as PBA commissioner and later on as executive director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
It was during his time that the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team program was launched in 2009.
Eala functioned as PBA commissioner from 2003 to 2007 where the pro league allowed its players to suit up for the national team in tournaments organized by Fiba.
Blessed. Honored.
Grateful. Excited.
Time to serve. Lets get to work. 🇵🇭
— Noli Eala (@NoliEala) August 30, 2022
He laid out a program that reduced the conferences and altered the calendar of the PBA to accommodate the national team.
In his stint as founding SBP executive director, Eala led the first Gilas program under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.
Eala will join PSC Commissioner Bong Coo, an international bowling Hall of Famer, in the agency while waiting for the appointment of three more commissioners to complete the PSC board.