Bowling legend Bong Coo with PSC executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy. PSC photo
PBBM appoints bowling legend Bong Coo as PSC commissioner
THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) formally welcomed bowling great Olivia “Bong” Coo as its newest commissioner.
Coo, who has been appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. as commissioner of the government sports agency, was welcomed by PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy at the PSC Administrative Bldg. at the Rizal Menorial Sports Compex in Vito Cruz, Manila.
The PSC said it received Coo’s appointment papers from Malacañang on Tuesday afternoon.
A four-time world champion, Bowling Hall of Famer and PSC Hall of Fame awardee, the 74-year-old Coo is the first appointment of President Marcos in sports.
Coo is also the Chairperson of the Women in Sports Commission of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
“Napakaganda ng buhay ko dahil sa bowling starting in the 70s until my retirement and now I try to pay it forward whenever I can,” said Coo during an interview in the “Women’s Month” episode of “Sports On Air” last March 19.
She said she hopes to provide inspiration to a new generation of Filipino female sports heroes by sharing her experiences as country’s most decorated Filipino athlete based on the Philippine Republic Act 9064 also known as “Athletes Incentives Act of 2001”.
“As the Chairperson of the Women in Sports Commission of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), madami kaming isinusulong na programa na magtataguyod ng ating mga female athletes,” said Coo, who was voted to the World Bowling Writers International Bowling Hall of Fame at the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Louis, Missouri in 1993.
“Matagal na talagang dapat binigyang-pansin ang mga women athletes natin. Pareho din naman ang initiative, pareho ang puso, pareho ang kagustuhang lumaban at magbigay ng karangalan sa bansa. Gender equality means equal rights, equal responsibilities and equal opportunities,” recalled Coo, who is also the first Filipino athlete to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records twice
“During our time, less sponsorships, less prizes, less coaches na babae. Pero ngayon madami na ding pagbabago,,” added Coo, who was also named one of the “Greatest International Bowlers of All-Time” by the prestigious Bowlers Journal International in its 100-year anniversary issue in 2013 issue.
Coo, who was also elected as president of the Philippine Bowling Federation last month, has amassed a total of 78 medals — including 37 golds — in both world and regional competitions.
Coo is also among the well-known sports heroes immortalized with a commemorative stamp by the Philippine Postal Corporation.
