ONCE a sportsman, always a sportsman.

Newly–appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Noli Eala is ready to serve and work.

Eala, who was appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos as the new chairman of the government sports agency last Tuesday, said he is ready for the new challenge.

In his Twitter page, Eala posted: “Blessed. Honored. Grateful. Excited. Time to serve. Let’s get to work.”

No less than Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed Eala’s appointment in a statement late Tuesday.

“We confrim the appointment of Mr. Noli Eala as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission,” said Cruz-Angeles in her Twitter.

A copy of Eala’s appointment letter written by Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez and approved by President Marcos was later released to the media.

Eala, who will take the place of two-time PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, is the highest sports official to be appointed by President Marcos.

He will be the 11th chairman of the government sports agency, which was established in 1990.

The 59-year-old Eala will join bowling legend Olivia “Bong” Coo, who was appointed as PSC commissioner.early last month.

Three more commissioners will be appointed by President Marcos to complete the PSC board.

Eala started as a sportscaster of Viva-Vintage Sports, doing play-by-play commentaries in the PBA starting in 1992.

He later became the PBA commissioner from 2002 to 2007 and later, executive director of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas.

As a PBA commissioner, Eala is credited for introducing several innovations to make the league more exciting.

One of these innovations is the two-conference format that allowed PBA players to join the national team under the auspices of the SBP.

The uncle of well-known tennis star Alex Eala also served as sports director of San Miguel Corporation, the country’s winningest basketball team in the PBA.

Eala is also best remembered for establishing the Liga Pilipinas in 2008.

Before his appointment, Eala is also host of the “Power and Play”, a well-followed sports talk show being aired on Radyo5, OnePH on Cignal TV and Facebook live.

The biggest challenge facing Eala and the PSC board is to duplicate, if not surpass, the achievements of the previous PSC leadership.

Under Ramirez, the Philippines captured the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in Tokyo in 2021.

Eala and his new PSC board will also now be at the helm of the country’s preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics, together with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)..