MANILA, Philippines - Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero, who vowed to produce Olympians, was unanimously elected president of the Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) during the association’s General Assembly at the PNSA office in Pasig City last Tuesday.
With a promise of transparency and a more detailed program for all five aggrupations in order to send more shooters to the Olympics, Romero got the nod of all 14 directors of the board.
“I would like to personally thank the whole board for trusting me to head and lead this federation with the sole objective of propagating shooting and developing future Olympians,” said Romero, at 40, is the youngest to head the association. “I’m now preparing a five-year program with the end result of producing more Olympian shooters.”
Romero will serve the remaining year of long-time president Art Macapagal, who resigned last March.
Chairman Boy Tronqued earlier withdrew his candidacy, paving the way for Romero’s election.
According to Romero, also one of the owners of the soon-to-be-launched AirAsia Phils., success can only be achieved if there is unity, solidarity and a strong grassroots development program.
“Those are the keys to building this organization which Mr. Macapagal also helped nurture and develop during his term,” said Romero, who likewise thanked Philippine Olympic Committee president for being instrumental in achieving unity in the association.
“He (Cojuangco) showed great leadership in finding peace and unity in the federation,” said Romero, also a one-time “Godfather” of Philippine amateur basketball.
With the SEA Games just around the corner, Romero threw a challenge to all five chairpersons – moving target, pistol, rifle, practical and and non-ISSF – to put together a more detailed program in order to expand the PNSA base.
“The association has this big responsibility of growing shooting in the country, and together, hand in hand, we could do this. Kaya natin to,” said Romero.
Pistol king Tac Padilla, one of Romero’s top backers, also urged fellow directors to work together towards a new and strong shooting association, saying: “It’s time to move on and work together for the betterment and glory of our beloved association.”
Tronqued is likely to retain his post while Col. Danilo Gamboa of rifle maybe tapped as secretary-general and Dave Escalona as executive director.