WITH THE battle smoke from the recent Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) elections now clear, newly elected executive board member Pearl Managuelod underscored the need to buckle down to work for the national athletes, including helping in having their training resume at the soonest possible time.

Elected to the POC board in proceedings held last Friday, Ms. Managuelod, the Muaythai Association of the Philippines (MAP) secretary-general, said they have to work now to have the athletes back in training for them not to lose more time considering 2021 is expected to be a busy year with a number of international competitions slated.

“Apart from the programs laid down, I think it’s important now to work with the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) and IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) to resume the training of the athletes because we have a lot of competitions ahead,” said the MAP official following her election win.

Ms. Managuelod went on to say that she welcomes the opportunity to be of service to Philippine sports in an added capacity just as she underscored the need for the POC to put the athletes’ needs front and center.

She ran under the ticket of reelected president Abraham Tolentino (cycling), but was also an adopted candidate of challenger Jesus Aranas (archery).

It was a circumstance that she is honored to be in, seeing how both parties have good programs for the POC.

Joining Ms. Managuelod in the POC executive board are fellow directors Dave Carter (judo), Raul Canlas (surfing) and Charlie Ho (netball). They begin their four-year term on Jan. 1, 2021.

As for muay thai, Ms. Managuelod said they are hoping to have the sport included in the Olympics down the line, with the MAP strategically working on that end while also shoring up their grassroots program. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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