First Gentleman accepts post as wushu chair

True to his promise that he would give more time to sports, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo accepted last Friday the honorary chairmanship of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines.

"I am honored to be a part of your organization, which has consistently won honors for the country in international competitions," Mr. Arroyo said in accepting the offer of WFP president Julian Camacho and lifetime honorary president Francis Chan after his meeting with NSA (national sports association) officials.

The First Gentleman, who announced after the inauguration of President Arroyo that he would devote more time to sports, vowed to support WFP’s program, especially in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games here. He said he would give WFP a private sponsor.

"But you must work harder to ensure that we achieve our goals," Mr. Arroyo told Camacho, Chan and the other WFP officials — chairman Chan Cuan, vice chair Tan She Ling, EVP David Yang, secretary general Edwin Pimentel and treasurer Michelle Jane Lasala Lam.

"The whole wushu family is greatly honored and appreciative of your acceptance of the honorary chairmanship for WFP," Chan said. "Your love and support has greatly boosted our morale and confidence."

Chan also promised Mr. Arroyo that "in exchange for your support, we will deliver gold medals and bring glory to our country." In the past 17 years, wushu has won 61 gold medals, including seven in the world championships.

WFP presented the FG a plaque which says the appointment was "in recognition of his unwavering, unstinted support to Philippine sports in general, and wushu in particular."

Camacho also wrote President Arroyo, through the First Gentleman, congratulating her for securing a fresh mandate.

"We are not exactly worried sports is not in your 10-point agenda. The First Gentleman’s focusing on sports makes sports development the 11th point in your agenda," Camacho and Chan wrote.