HOF inductees to be named

MANILA, Philippines — The fifth batch of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame will be named in a press conference at the PSC Media Room, Rizal Sports Complex on April 13 with the induction ceremonies set at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on May 20. The announcement will be made by PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio and POC president Bambol Tolentino who were members of the Screening/Selection Committee with GAB chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, NSA representatives Jarryd Belo and Jose Malonzo, Ayala Foundation representative Xavier Virata and MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio.

The latest batch is made up of seven athletes, chosen from 72 nominees covering the period 1924 to 2014. A Review/Evaluation Committee composed of sports journalists Jun Lomibao, Dodo Catacutan, Ignacio Dee, Al Mendoza and Joaquin Henson trimmed the nominees to 15 then submitted the list to the Screening/Selection Committee for the final decision. The first batch of 10 was inducted in 2010, the second batch of 17 in 2016, the third batch of 10 in 2018 and the fourth batch of 10 in 2021. RA No. 8757 of 1999 established the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame and stipulated inductees to be Filipino athletes, coaches and trainers “who have distinguished themselves in local and international sports and who possess character and integrity, provided that, in the case of athletes, he/she must at least be a gold medalist in any SEA Games, silver medalist in any Asian Games or Asian Cup or regional games, bronze medalist in any Olympics or World Games or a world champion in any professional or amateur sports competition.”

A study is now being undertaken to propose amendments to the PSC Law. Among the amendments being considered are the inclusion of sports officials, patrons and media as inductees, a provision for retirement of at least three years for athletes and the exclusion of athletes 60 or above from the retirement clause.