Busy First Gent checks on athletes, inspects oval

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo is playing his role of chef de mission to the letter.

For the second straight day, he was seen visiting members of the national team who are in the final phase of their preparation for the 23rd SEA Games scheduled Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.

The First Gentleman, who was away in the US for a couple of months, has been very busy attending recent sports activities as the country gears up for its hosting of the SEA Games.

Two weeks ago, he showed up in a consultative meeting among top officials of the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and the different national sports associations.

Then last Friday, he dropped by the Philsports Arena while hundreds of national athletes were hearing Mass, having dinner and enjoying the company of President Arroyo.

The other day, he made another surprise visit at Philsports, this time to check athletes from athletics, arnis, swimming, taekwondo, softball, Muay Thai and softball.

Then yesterday morning, he was at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, meeting PSC chairman Butch Ramirez and, once again, checking on the athletes from judo, wushu, wrestling and weightlifting.

The First Gentleman also visited the track oval, which is still undergoing renovation with only 17 days before the Games, which the country is hosting for the third time since 1981 and 1991.

"They are in high spirits, I’m very happy. Mataas ang confidence nila," he said after visiting the wrestlers where his nephew, Marcus Valda, is part of the national team.

Since his visit was unannounced, the First Gentleman caught many by surprise.

"Nagulat nga kami na biglang nagpasabi na dadating si Sir Mike sa Philsports. Tapos sabi nga gusto din niya puntahan ‘yung athletes who are training here (RMSC)," said Ramirez.

"Talagang malaking bagay para sa mga athleta ‘yung pagbisita n’ya," added the PSC chief.

The First Gentleman’s visiting spree does not end here as he is scheduled to visit the national athletes training in Subic, Baguio and even those in Bacolod and Cebu.

"I’m sure we will get the number of gold medals enough for us to win the overall title. You can do it I’m sure," he told the athletes whom he had visited. — Abac Cordero