NEW COMMISSIONER. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann (left) with newly-appointed Commissioner Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, who officially reported to the office on Friday (March 31, 2023). President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Gaston on March 24. (Photo courtesy of PSC)
MANILA – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) welcomed the appointment of Commissioner Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, who officially reported to the office on Friday.
"I thank His Excellency President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. for appointing Commissioner Gaston as part of the PSC Board," said Chairman Richard Bachmann in a statement released to the media.
"Commissioner's Gaston’s extensive experience and leadership as a sports executive, former athlete and coach will certainly be an asset towards our goal of providing the most we can for our elite and grassroots athletes and the Filipino people. I am happy that we are coming into the second quarter of the year with a complete board. With Commissioners Olivia “Bong” Coo, Walter Torres, Edward Hayco and Fritz Gaston, the PSC board is full steam ahead in working to implement the agency’s policies, programs, and carry out the PSC’s mandate for a healthier citizenry," Bachmann added.
He continued: "The coming months will be very busy for our national athletes and para-athletes, with the 32nd Cambodia Southeast Asian Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, among other multi-sporting events we will participate in. Rest assured that the PSC board will give our 101% support to our Filipino athletes in their pursuit of sporting excellence."
Gaston is a former commissioner of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), a professional basketball player and a collegiate coach.
“My family, they are happy for me because they’ve always rooted for me for sports, and they know I’m a sportsman. Even if I worked in a corporate, alam nila na love ko talaga yung sports (they know, I really love the sports),” said Gaston, who was appointed by President Marcos on March 24.
“This is more challenging and has a sense of purpose for me since I have been an athlete. We just have to take care of all the athletes, from the elite, all the way from the grassroots,” he added.
Gaston was a member of the 1977 national youth basketball team. He coached the national women’s basketball team to a bronze medal finish in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima City, Thailand.
“The elite has to be given support to the level of Asian and Olympic. In other words, they have to be given the training, equipment and exposure at an Olympic level," said Gaston, who steered the Ateneo Blue Eagles to the UAAP title in 1988. (PNA)
