By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Newly appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann took his oath Wednesday, Jan. 4, in Malacañang to oversee the country’s government sports agency.
Bachmann, 54, replaced Noli Eala where he joined Commissioners Bong Coo, Edward Hayco and Walter Torres in mapping out plans for national athletes and coaches under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Hayco and Torres had already taken their oaths before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin last Dec. 28.
Prior to his oath taking, Bachmann reported for work at the PSC office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila where he visited some facilities, including the coliseum, tennis courts, baseball stadium, swimming pool, multi-purpose gym and squash center.
Bachman and the rest of the board are expected to have their hands full this year with a packed tournament schedule for national athletes that include the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May, the 19th Asian Games in China in September and several qualifying tournaments leading to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The agency is also involved in various grassroots programs.
Bachmann was grateful for the opportunity presented to him.
“I am deeply humbled to have the opportunity to serve our Philippine athletes in
this capacity. I look forward to working with the NSAs, together with our PSC
team members and Commissioners, in order to help our athletes prepare for this
year’s sporting events,” he said in a statement.
He also thanked the PBA community, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Alaska Milk Corp. CEO Wilfred Uytengsu for the support in his this new endeavor.
It can be recalled the prior to his appointment, Bachmann was commissioner of this season’s UAAP basketball, as well as chairman of the PBA 3×3. He was also former governor of the now-defunct Alaska Aces in the PBA.
“I bring with me nearly
three decades of experience in organized sports, as well as the Alaska Aces
philosophy I have learned and valued over the years, which is to win with
integrity while helping our athletes to become better individuals off the court,” said Bachmann.
