POA polls set today

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Olympians Association (POA) will convene its General Assembly this morning to hold virtual elections with World Olympians Association (WOA) vice president Mikako Kotani of Japan and WOA executive committee member Malav Shroff of India witnessing the process on a video hook-up. Over 30 Filipino Olympians are registered to attend.

POA founding and incumbent chairman Rafael Hechanova is assured of retaining his seat in the Board. There are 10 nominees, including eight incumbents, for the remaining eight Board seats to serve during the term 2021-24. They are incumbent president Akiko Thomson Guevara, incumbent treasurer Stephen Fernandez, incumbent secretary-general Ral Rosario and incumbent Board members Monsour del Rosario, Roel Velasco, Freddie Webb, Jenny Guerrero and Jet Dionisio and Rey Fortaleza and Weena Lim. The agenda will also include reports on last year’s activities.

Among the Filipino Olympians expected to participate are Ryan Arabejo, Donnie Geisler, Jessie Lacuna, Guy Concepcion, Bea Lucero Lhuillier, Lee Concepcion, Christine Jacob Sandejas, Jasmine Alkhaldi, Ronald Chavez, Charlie Balena, Eva Ditan, Hidilyn Diaz, Elma Muros Posadas, Jasmine Strachan Simpao, Miguel Mendoza, Hector Begeo, Tshomlee Go, Walter Dean Vargas, Miguel Molina, Roberto Cruz, Rachelle Anne de la Cruz, Eric Ang, Mary Joy Tabal and Rene Herrera. Hechanova, 92, organized the POA in 2002 and will attend today’s proceedings.

Guevara said there were over 400 athletes who’ve represented the Philippines since the 1924 Olympics. The POA is linked up to less than 100 Filipino Olympians. Guevara said the Board meets once in three months and elections are conducted in January after each Olympic year. The POA is affiliated with the WOA which was established in 1995 to support Olympians all over the world and work for their benefit. The WOA provides scholarships for post-graduate courses in sports science and business opportunities through a tie-up with Airbnb.

Guevara said the POA will expand its coverage, dig deeper into the archives and continue efforts to reach out to Olympians who aren’t connected. “I’ve been randomly hunting down our Olympians and it’s been such a joy reconnecting,” she said. “As you can imagine, a handful are working in the Navy, Army, Air Force – the military service. And while I know it’s a career that perhaps embraces the service of an Olympian, I can’t help but marvel at these folks. Not only do they bring glory on the sporting field, they serve and sacrifice for the country … real heroes.” The other day, Guevara contacted 1960 Rome Olympic swimmer Haydee Coloso-Espino, now 83 and bed-ridden in Iloilo. Guevara invited Espino to join this morning’s General Assembly but she begged off because of poor internet connectivity.

“Of the 7.53 billion people in the world, over 100,000 are Olympians,” said Guevara. “Very few people are Olympians. And while we have worked very hard for this privilege, with this blessing comes opportunity – a platform for us to be heard and listened to. Let’s find ways to be relevant, to be involved and to give back.”

Before the pandemic struck, the POA held monthly sports clinics in conjunction with PSC for indigent kids of Childhope whose goal is to work towards the liberation of children from the suffering caused by living on the streets. During the pandemic, the POA set up mental wellness, fitness and nutrition webinars with the participation of the Athletes Commission. A newsletter called Arete (excellence, moral value or reaching one’s potential in ancient Greek philosophy) is regularly published by the POA to keep Filipino Olympians informed of events, activities and opportunities for education and livelihood.