Time for a ReVolt

The private sector must step in to ensure the success of Philippine sports on the international level, perhaps even at the Olympic Games.

This is the premise behind a new initiative to find patrons and allies to provide national athletes with the resources needed to compete on even terms with their rivals overseas. It is called ReVolt (Revving up Our athletes through Liberal Transformation), and it is being spearheaded by the son of one of the country’s pillars of industry, and he sees the job as a big responsibility.

“Basically, we want to be able to take our athletes to the next level, with the help of the private sector,” explains Timmy Tan, publisher of La Isla magazine, the inflight publication of Air Philippines, and son of tobacco and beverage giant Lucio Tan. “We already have the talent. We just need to identify the ones to support, and find partners who will help.”

Last week, Tan had a very encouraging meeting with Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Tom Carrasco, who welcomed the offer to help. Every year, our elite athletes are subject to fluctuating budgets granted by Congress through various laws, and problems with collection of the National Sports Development Fund from other government agencies. But the success of sports leaning on private sponsorship has encouraged the proponent of ReVolt.

“We’re happy that businessmen like Timmy Tan are there to help,” Carrasco told The STAR. “We look forward to a very fruitful partnership with ReVolt. We are hopeful that our athletes to the Youth Olympic Games, Olympic Games and other events will benefit greatly.” 

The POC will generate a list of athletes who are primed for a breakthrough in international competition. Tan will then select what will be the pioneer group for the program for succeeding multisport competitions and world championships. After the initial foray, ReVolt will then be evaluated, and more athletes will be added to the pool. And the clock is ticking.

“The short-term goal is to hopefully medal in international competitions like the SEA Games in 2015 in Singapore, and perhaps even the 2016 Olympics in Brazil,” says Tan, also head of SK Techno-lube Corporation, an award-winning company in its own right. “We’re in this for the long haul.”

There are many programs available not just for athletes, but for coaches, trainers and managers, as well. However, travel would be the most basic cost, and in a country just recovering from a tremendous natural disaster, sports may not be considered an immediate need.

Tan has already partnered with a very welcome friend in Chilean ambassador to the Philippines Roberto Mayorga. The Latin American country is using sports as part of a comprehensive program to uplift citizens of other countries as part of a long-term vision to enhance every aspect of humanity. Mayorga sees the strong similarities between Filipinos and his countrymen, and having been to over 50 countries around the world, he sees the priceless characteristics of Filipinos. Their introductory sports development program is street soccer for poor communities in Metro Manila.

“The talent is there,” says an excited Mayorga. “Soccer is a sport you can play anywhere. In Chile, it is something that children love to play. Here, we even went to a community where we found a girl who was even more talented than the boys. It is very exciting for us.”

Mayorga says that sports in not a luxury, but a means for creating unity, fellowship and compassion, as well as international recognition. Chile, which shares a border with Argentina, was close to armed conflict with its neighbor several times. But the soldiers of both sides developed friendships by playing football with each other daily while at their border stations. It was this kinship forged through sport that helped define peace between the two nations. 

Mayorga is also holding a meeting with representatives of twelve foreign embassies to expand the pool, and with the help of Tan, prove that this is not a short-term arrangement. 

For Timmy Tan, it is a matter of national pride, and he believes that those in a position to help, should. Hopefully, his buddies and business partners see things the same way.

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Tanghalang Ateneo presents “Break Away Antigone”, a new musical based on the Greek classic, running from Feb. 6 to 8, 11 to 15 and 18 to 22 at the Rizal Mini Theatre on the Ateneo de Manila campus. This writer plays the role of the ghost of Antigone’s father, Oedipus. Tickets are available at the gate.