One-on-one with PSC commissioner Charles Maxey

TATLONG dekada nang bokya sa Olympics ang Pilipinas. Kaya naman, nakapatong sa balikat ng bagong administrasyong Duterte ang mabigat na pasaning buhayin ang naghihingalong Philippine sports. At isa sa inaasahan ng Pangulo ay si Charles Raymond Maxey na kanyang hinirang bilang isa sa mga commissioners ng Philippine Sports Commission. Nakapanayam ni Bandera correspondent Eric Dimzon si Maxey ay ito ang kanyang tugon.

Who is Charles Maxey before he became a PSC commissioner?
I was a sports writer for a good number of years. Naging editor din ako ng isang local paper sa Davao City. In 2013, I was asked by now PSC chairman Butch Ramirez to be a part of the Sports Development Council of the office of the mayor and last year, kinuha akong consultant ng Edge Davao.

Bilang PSC commisioner, anu-ano ang plano mo?
As a sports writer, I was able to cover a lot of sports and events. Nakita ko talaga ang paghihirap ng ating mga atleta. As a commissioner, I want to implement programs that will truly benefit our athletes. Gusto ko maramdaman ng mga atleta na mahalaga sila.

Advantage ba na naging sports writer ka bago ka napasok sa PSC?
Advantage in the sense that it made me aware of the plight of our athletes. I got to interview a lot of athletes during my sports writing days. Kaya alam ko yung mga hinaing ng mga atleta. We, at PSC, are here for the athletes. We like to assure the public that the Duterte administration is pro-people and pro-active.

Sa tingin mo, ano ang magiging relasyon ng PSC sa POC sa bagong administrasyon?
I understand na may bickerings at banggaan dati ang PSC at POC. But in line with President Duterte’s call for unity, we will come up with a program that will benefit the athletes and keep PSC and POC happy. Chairman Ramirez already talked to POC president Peping Cojuangco and hopefully it would lead to a harmonious relationship between POC and PSC.

Marami ang nagsusulong na magtatag ng Department of Sports. What do you think?

No comment muna ako dyan. But a department entails proper funding. Sa ngayon, aasikasuhin muna namin ang funding ng PSC na manggagaling sa Pagcor.

Ano ang vision mo para sa Philippine sports?
I want to see a vibrant Philippine sports. I want the athletes and coaches to feel that they are important. That we can be proud of our athletes and program. And to, of course, see the Philippines win that elusive Olympic gold medal.

May pag-asa pa ba ang Philippine sports?
Yes. There is a saying that winners never quit and quitters never win. Kaya magtiyaga lang tayo with a good program. Wag tayong mawawalang ng pag-asa. Trabaho lang tayo para sa ikauunlad ng sports ng bansa.