by Nick Giongco
Amid the seemingly never-ending politics that plague the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Ricky Vargas remains committed to iron out the kinks within the POC family as his leadership enters the last 20 months.
Vargas, who assumed the POC presidency in February 2018, told the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum that he has not made a decision whether he will seek another four-year term.
“If I can longer do the job, then I will prepare the organization (POC). Baka meron ibang tao na kayang gawin ito,” said Vargas during the weekly Q&A at the Amelie Hotel.
Vargas swears that presiding over the POC has been difficult, stressing that there are always threat to his presidency,
“Araw-araw merong coup,” he said noting that he finds it hard to know who’s with him and who are plotting his downfall.
“At this point in my experience with the POC, parang ayaw ko na. Ang hirap,” said Vargas, who was joined in the forum by POC chairman Bambol Tolentino and boxing secretary-general Ed Picson.
“I think, where I am now. It’s kind of difficult to commit that I want to become president again,” he said, stressing that (despite your devotion to the job), you will be faulted for not achieving.”
“Every Board meeting you feel that there is a coup.”
Still, Vargas insists that what he is focused on is his devotion to his job as POC president and settle disputes involving erring national sports associations.
“But to finish my term, I am committed to that,” said Vargas, who is neck-deep in the country’s buildup for the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games towards the end of the year.
The POC elections will take place every Olympic year and it has been a tradition that the elections are held every November following the Olympics.
Meanwhile, Vargas said the number of Filipino athletes approved for inclusion has reached 1,895 followed by Indonesia with 1,718, Singapore (1,581) and Thailand (1,462).
The total number of athletes and officials so far has hit 11,250 who are vying for 523 gold medals in 56 sports.
