Chairman Garcia heeds Kermit

It was unanimous and inevitable. PSC chair Richie Garcia got a vote of confidence from representatives of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Sports Council and the Games that was in danger of being mothballed again is as alive and kicking as my favorite muppet Kermit the Frog.

Only a day before the scheduled meeting, chair Garcia was mindset on giving up the chairmanship of the region’s sports body and relinquishing the hosting rights to another focus area of the BIMP-EAGA.

It was a wise mindset. Like one taken from Kermit’s book “Look Before You Leap.”

But when the subject was placed on the discussion table in Tuesday’s meeting at the Century Sheraton Hotel, Chairman Garcia was met with an outpouring support, or demand if you may call it, to stay as chair of the BIMP-EAGA Sports Council and take the lead in reviving the Games in 2012 in the Philippines.

Chair Garcia expressed his apologies for the cancellation of the 2010 Games in Davao City. As newly-installed chair of the PSC, the former national golf team coach and two-time Commissioner, explained that the agency is undergoing a transition process.

At the end of the brief but significant summit, Chairman Garcia won the hearts of our regional neighbors.

Yesterday’s meeting was attended by Mohd Zamri Datu Hamdani and Haji Mohamed Zafri of Brunei Darussalam, Valerie Wong of Sabah, Malaysia, Francis Nyurang Ding and Haji Soedirman Bin Aini of Sarawak, Malaysia, Dr. Bambang Nugroho and Isak Sembor of West Papua, Indonesia, and Jusoh Bin Salle and Helmi Bali of Labuan, Malaysia.

The Philippines’ side was also represented by PSC Commissioner Salvador Andrada along with Executive Director Geraldine Bernardo and chief of staff Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr.

As it now stands, the next question is: who will be the 2012 host? The question is addressed to Mindanao and Palawan which are the two focus areas of the BIMP-EAGA. Davao City was named host for 2010 but with the cancellation of this year’s event and the change of leadership in the LGU level, the issue will have to be settled first.

There are other possible sites like Gen. Santos and Sarangani and Cagayan de Oro City. GenSan and Sarangani is a possible contender mainly because of the possible support it can draw from P-4-P champ and Congressman Manny Pacquiao. The drawback is that other focus areas may no longer be interested because they have been there. The Games, envisioned to promote not only sports but tourism within the focus areas, was co-hosted by Gensan and Sarangani when it was first held in 1996. But we never know. Perhaps Congressman Pacquiao can take it from here.

Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental is a possible host with a very active sports and tourism program under Governor Oscar Moreno. MisOr recently inaugurated a three-storey boxing headquarters.

Hosting rights will be short-listed to major cities in Mindanao with security as a primary consideration. Chair Garcia will be identifying the host after consultations with the PSC Board and the LGUs concerned. Commissioner Chito Loy-zaga will be the PSC Board’s designated in-charge of the Games.

Of all the cities mentioned, there was an expression of great interest in Davao City among the BIMP-EAGA sports council members. The reps of Brunei and Labuan insisted on Davao City. All that, however, will have to wait for now.

Chair Garcia is not about to make a leap without looking. Question now is: will Davao City be interested to host the Games in 2012?

For one, Davao City will have to consolidate its directions in sports. Identify who really maps out the blueprint for sports and what it desires to achieve. There are so many flies out there. As my friend Kermit the Frog says: “life’s fun when you have more flies.”