Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez (File photo)
MANILA -- The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame, the country’s premier award-giving body for sports, convened its initial meeting at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City on Tuesday.
The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame (HOF) 2020 Committee, headed by PSC Chairman William Ramirez and vice-chaired by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino, is set to discuss the criteria of nomination and selection of candidates for this edition’s enshrinees.
“We want to get a good lead time since the selection process is an arduous exercise. We have a lot of athletes truly deserving to be enshrined in this Hall of Fame,” Ramirez said. “We hope to get more nominations this edition.”
Also attending the meeting are members of the screening body composed of Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Mitra, Philippine Olympic Committee Secretary-General Edwin Gastanes, Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines Secretary-General Avelino Sumagui, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Executive Director Rene Saguisag Jr., and SEA Games gold medalist and Philippine Olympians Association President Akiko Thomson Guevara.
The HOF or Republic Act 8757, enshrines Filipino athletes, coaches, and trainors who have brought honor and pride to the country in their career, and exhibited exemplary character.
Initial qualifications include at least a gold medal win in the Southeast Asian Games, a silver medal in the Asian Games or Asian Cup or regional games, a bronze medal in the Olympics, or a world championship title in any professional or amateur sports tilt.
The PSC, as the government’s sports agency, is directed by law to organize the Screening Committee and the awarding of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame title to the chosen athletes.
Among the past recipients of this award were Filipino Boxing legend Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Asia’s First Chess Grandmaster Eugene Torre, Asia’s Fastest Woman Lydia de Vega, and Bowling World champions Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno and Olivia “Bong” Coo. (PR)
