Calls are growing louder for the appointment of veteran broadcaster Chino Trinidad as chairman of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), a government agency badly in need of a leader who is as hard as nails.
Not only the boxing community is backing him up knowing full well his genuine love for Philippine sports, especially the plight of professional athletes.
Now three sporting greats – billiards’ Efren “Bata” Reyes, bowling’s Paeng Nepomuceno and chess idol Eugene Torre – have added their voices to the chorus that are pushing for the appointment of former Philippine Basketball League commissioner as chairman of the government’s regulatory body for professional sports.
With the proliferation of illegal activities in professional sports particularly in cockfighting and the deteriorating image of Filipino boxers in the international arena, the so-called “Three Kings” of PH sports have urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to name Trinidad as GAB chairman.
Passionate in his various sports advocacies, Trinidad said illegal activities in sports have become so rampant that the needed taxes to boost the country’s economy have been going to the pockets of powerful syndicates.
“Si Chino, bata pa lang yan, alam na ang takbo sa billiards so lalo na ngayon,” said said Reyes, touted as the greatest player in the planet. “Malaki ang maiiambag na tulong ni Chino sa professional sports sa ating bansa kung nasa GAB sya.”
Nepomuceno, himself recognized as the greatest bowler of all time, and Torre readily agreed, saying they will support Trinidad all the way to help the country reclaim its image in the international sporting scene.
Nepomuceno, who is related to Torre, is convinced that Trinidad, son of well-respected sports columnist Recah Trinidad, will do a good job if ever he will be appointed as GAB head.
“Not only he’s qualified because of his experience, he’s also very passionate in all his undertakings,” said Torre, who is best remembered as Asia’s first Grandmaster and now World Hall of Famer.
Sports commentators, including Ariel Ian Clarito, have also some glowing words for Trinidad.
“The GAB chair has to have the administrative and managerial savvy to run the organization in a professional manner. Chino fits this bill to a T.” said Clarito. (REY C. LACHICA)
