I would not slam nor condemn our sports officials even if the Philippines finished a (poor) fourth in the recently-concluded SEAG in Vietnam.
Although where it mattered most, we lost the basketball golden trophy to Indonesia – a favorite whipping boy – I would not condemn the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
I would not even if its apology came three days late.
I would not also condemn coach Chot Reyes even if he was negligent in his choices of the best qualified members of the national team; even if he lamented to high heavens that the absence of Japhet Aguilar (due to injuries) invariably weakened Gilas’ offensive and defensive structures.
I would rather stay positive and praise the men and women who – despite great odds – continue to perform their best in the most trying times under the worst circumstances.
These athletes, whether they brought home a medal or not, deserved to be nurtured, nourished and provided the best coaches possible because in the next competition, they will come out sure winners.
Of course, the SEAG shouldn’t be our principal gauge for our athletes to excel in. By all means, sports officials, stakeholders and policy-makers should look forward to inter-continental contests where the best and the mightiest take part.
There are three arenas – as far as the Pinoy athlete is concerned – where his value and true worth are measured competently and tested to the hilt.
These are the IOC-sanctioned and organized Asian Games, the Olympics and the World Championships.
However, even if the country savored for awhile the Olympic glory that Hidilyn Diaz brought home with her victory in women’s weightlifting, elite sports should not take precedence over grassroots development.
This has been a sensitive issue among thinkers in the Philippine Olympic Committee and PSC policy-makers because money meant for grassroots development has been spread thinly in our collective desire to pursue the quest for the country’s first Olympic gold.
Ideally, we should have at this point in time, a continuing and sustainable spawning ground for talent identification and sourcing.
There was a time within the POC when aging athletes almost past their prime were still being harnessed to wear the national colors.
As Carlos Yulo and his ilk begin to stamp their class among their peers in the Southeast Aian region, I see how vibrant and vigorous our sports development is coming into.
There is a sports renaissance on the horizon. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
