Tolentino: POC needs a home

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

It’s a plan that has been broached several times now, but in the light of a “receptive” President Marcos, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is hoping the idea finally breaks ground. “I’m hopeful our vision will be realized this time,’’ he said.

The plan? A permanent home for the POC.

“We’ve participated in the Olympics for a century, but up to now the POC still needs to have its own home,” Tolentino said, adding Mr. Marcos was keen on pursuing the idea after the Olympic chief mentioned it to him during the testimonial dinner at Malacañang for the FIlipino Olympians led by two-gold winner and gymnastics star Carlos Yulo.

Tolentino envisions the POC home as more than just an office for the country’s sports program, but also a museum that will showcase the country’s sporting heroes, like groundbreaking Olympic champions Yulo and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo.

The POC has sought the assistance of Malacañang for the possible location of the POC building within the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, but Tolentino’s plea, which he broached even before the country won its first gold in Tokyo three years ago, was put on hold.

“It would be ideal for the House of POC to be close to the airport for accessibility of foreign sports dignitaries who will come for official functions or for a visit,’’ said Tolentino.

The POC initially had a small office at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila before transferring to the Philsports Complex in Pasig almost 20 years ago.

“It’s inaccessible and many don’t even know that there’s a POC office there,’’ said Tolentino.

“Timor Leste, the smallest among Southeast Asian countries, in fact, has a national Olympic committee headquarters complete with all amenities,’’ said Tolentino.

Those amenities include a museum, multipurpose hall, a gym and a laboratory apart from the office rooms. INQ