23 August 2019
By Kevin Estrada
Ever since he hanged up his sneakers, Chris Tiu has found his other venture after his playing career ended.
“Naninibago ako, siyempre it’s a totally new arena for me. For the longest time, I’m always been an athlete,” said the former Gilas skipper who was the Deputy Director for Volunteers Program when the Subic-Clark cluster was launched last Friday at Clark.
“But now I’m wearing a different hat. It feels fun honestly.”
For him, the challenge was daunting, given that the games will kick off in three months’ time.
“But I think, with training and discipline of an athlete, I think we’re used to finding solutions and finding ways to make things work.”
Despite the odds, Tiu lauds his team that have him on his back, as they have also plans in store beyond the biennial meet.
“So far I have a great team. They’ve been working very hard and we have our plans for the volunteers’ program laid out up until the games and even after the Para Games. And it’s just a matter of implementing so that we can contribute for the success of the upcoming SEA Games.”
For him, the job was easier thanks to the enthusiasm of those who signed up online as it the tally shot to 14,000, five thousand more than what they need.
“But when we launch our recruitment program, the support has been overwhelming. Interest of partner institutions, schools, NGOs and even individuals has been really inspiring. We tried to assess, pitch and to convince them,” he said that even overseas Pinoys have signed up just to help the country’s hosting of the SEA Games.
To him, his first-hand experience while playing for Gilas gave him a sneak peek on what a volunteer is all about, as he played in two Asian Games and won the gold in his lone SEA Games eight years ago.
“Sila lang yung direct contact naming sa bansa na yun,” he said, while drawing comparisons of what a diplomat does. “Siya talaga yung nagiging ambassador ng bansa na yun.”
Follow the writer on Twitter: @kevinlestrada
