Barrios starts SBP’s nationwide grassroots developmental program

SAMAHANG BASKETBOL ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Sonny Barrios will be making his rounds around the country starting with a meeting with SBP Area Head for North and Central Luzon Danny Soria this week in Baguio City to jumpstart a nationwide grassroots development program.

The trip to the City of Pines will be the first leg of Barrios’ projected consultation series with SBP’s regional heads throughout the country. Barrios, whose appointment as executive director two months ago was ratified by the SBP board during a National Congress held at the Dusit Thani Hotel last Wednesday, said he was looking forward to connecting with “our SBP brothers.”

“This will be in compliance to a direct order to touch base with our SBP officials in the provinces to come up with a meaningful nationwide grassroots program for the year,” he said.

In the conclave, the SBP board also approved the Executive Director’s and President’s Report as well as the Treasurer’s Report for 2010 and ratified all Board resolutions adopted the past year.

Bernie Atienza, deputy executive director, delivered the 2010 report while Barrios talked about his plans and programs for the rest of the year and up to June 2012.

Barrios bared his “marching orders” from SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan to give top priority to SBP’s local programs and youth development projects.

He also revealed having consulted with basketball authorities, including former ABC secretary-general Mauricio “Moying” Martelino, former national coach Joe Lipa, among others./Correspondent Jonas Panerio