ONE of the most popular newspaper editorials ever written came out in the New York Sun in September, 1897 when an eight-year-old girl named Virginia O’ Hanlon sent a hand-written letter and asked the question, “Is There a Santa Claus?”

The editor, Francis Pharcellys Church, took the opportunity to rise above the simple question and give an answer that would later become the most reprinted editorial ever.

Fittingly, Church ended his reply with the now famous phrase, “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

And because it’s Christmas time once again, I found myself wondering what I would do if I were Santa Claus.

What would I most want to give the Filipino athletes in this most wonderful time of the year?

Well, we all know our athletes do need a sound mind and body. They also need proper motivation, good training and right international exposure.

But we also know these are not nearly enough.

If I were Santa, I’d give our athletes new leaders in the coming year — the kind of individuals who would really set aside their personal interests and put the athletes’ welfare first.

I’d give them vibrant, young leaders with fresh ideas on minds, and not officials with Jurassic-like mentality that only prevent athletes from reaching their full potential.

I’d give them result-oriented officials who will put his money where his mouth is, and not officials who put money on his pocket.

I’d give them courage to stand up for their rights, and not just allow themselves to be pushed around. I’d want them, for example, to be able to say no and tell their officials when enough is enough.

And of course, I’d give them wisdom to know the difference between a good and a bad leader.

And If I were really Santa even only during these long holidays, I’d also give:

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann and his four commissioners Olivia “Bong” Coo, Ed Hayco, Walter Torres and Fritz Gaston — a game plan to work together as a team so they can gain the full trust and confidence of President Marcos and the entire Filipino nation. A House Divided will surely not get the job done.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino — another fruitful and memorable year at the helm of the country’s highest sports body, similar to the ones he had when weighlifting legend Hidilyn Diaz and gymnast champion Caloy Yulo made history with their gold-medal feats in the Olympic Games. With another overwhelmng four-year mandate as POC president that extends all the way to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Tolentino hopes to get it done for the third straight Olympics.

Philippine Basketball Commissioner (PBA) Commissioner Willie Marcial — Full and unequivocal support from all 12 member-teams and their legion of supporters as Asia’s first play-for-pay league prepares for its grand 50th anniversary celebrations on April 9 , 2025.

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Founder-President Manny Pacquiao and Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes — Founded as “Liga ng Bawat Pilipino” in 2017, the MPBL enters its eighth season amid a promise of bigger and better teams, led by back-to-back champions Pampanga Giant Lanterns. Pacquiao — bless his heart — has shown he is willing to take the extra punch to ensure that the 29-team league will continue to fulfill its mission to bring the sport closer to the people and give every Filipino the opportunity to play the game.

Federation of School Sports Athletic Association ofg the Phihilippines (FESSAP) president Edwin Fabro and secretary-general Graham Lim — A long overdue but well-deserved recognition from the country’s top sports officials from both the PSC and POC would be a welcome gift as FESSAP prepares to lead the country’s campaign in the2025 Summer Universiade scheduled July 16-27 in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. With two gold medals courtesy of chess champion GM Wesley So (2013, Kazan) and pole vault hero E.J. Obiena (2019, Napoli), FESSAP deserves all the support in the hunt for the elusive third Universiade gold medal.

NOTES — Congratulations to Jess Asistin of Jesse Global Ventures, Inc. (JGVI), who was formally appointed as the National President of the Maharlikans Fraternal and Sororal Order of Tigers. No less than Maharlikans Chairman Marlou Marcelo and Sororal National President Elma Tan were present during Asistin’s formal appointment ceremony at the Networld Hotel and Casino in Pasay City recently…
Best wishes to our very good friend Norie del Rosario-Pizarro of San Diego, California, who turned another year older — and beautiful — last Dec. 17…

Birthday wishes to former People’s Tonight sportswriter Toto Causing (Dec. 10), former PBA player Mar Morelos (Dec. 16) Manila Times editor Fred Nasiad (Dec. 16), Bong Castro ( Dec. 18) and Judith Caringal (Dec. 18).

For comments and suggestions, email to [email protected]

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya