As this was being written, the Phl contingent to the KL SEAG is buried at 6th place behind Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia with just 15 golds, 17 silvers and 29 bronzes. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Before leaving, POC and NSA officials led by Jose “Peping” Cojuangco did not make any bold prediction if the Philippines is going to be a title contender. All we heard is the generic line that “we will try our best.”
Nakakainis na at nakakasawa ang linyang ito.
The Philippine Sports Commission is almost always blamed by the POC as the culprit whenever Pinoy athletes fail to perform above par. The wagging tongues at the POC loudly argue that the financial support given the athletes is not always enough, thus the training and preparation of the national athletes is hampered and suffers.
But make no mistake about it. The POC is the sole policy-making body authorized under the rules to identify, train and prepare athletes who will take part in IOC-organized international competitions.
Not even the President of the Philippines can alter any of its decisions because that would be tantamount to government intervention. That is the convenient escape clause. (Emphasis mine.)
Maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw ito. Walang pakialam ang PSC.
I am now articulating this because when the RP delegation comes home and they fail to accomplish their pre-SEAG gold medal harvest, expect alibis, excuses and finger-pointing by officials of the Cojuangco-led POC.
How many times has these happened in the past? Oh, many more times than you can count your fingers. I have been a personal witness to the incessant bickering between the PSC tenant and the POC beggar long before many of today’s young crop of sportswriters started to by-line their first sports articles.
That is why I was originally vetting against the hosting of the 2019 SEAG here. Based on our experience in 2005, so much money was spent (I will not use the term “squandered.”) and so much left unaccounted for. Yes, taxpayers, this is your money they are using.
It is a good thing, though that a man of probity and integrity (that’s DFA Sec. Allan Peter Cayetano) was named by PRRD to head the organizing executive committee. My fears that chunks of people’s moolah would go the wrong way have been eased a bit although there are always sinister minds lurking behind the shadows to snatch away some goodies while we are not looking.
Why am I so concerned about these issues?
Because the money that should go to the identification, training, development and preparation of Pinoy athletes are instead being diverted and pocketed by thieves masquerading as sports leaders. Ask former POC president Celso Dayrit and he will tell you more.
This is the primary reason why we have rollercoaster performances in many international competitions notably the Asian and Olympic Games. Oftentimes we stay too long in the bottom rungs and then we strived very hard to climb back to the top but are still unable to reach the peak.
To this date, there is no Olympic gold medal the country can boast of.
There is no consistency because the money meant for the athletes does not flow consistently and adequately to benefit them.
POC and NSA officials also play favorites. If an athlete, whatever his/her potential, is not the official’s apple of the eye, that’s a problem.
Many athletes have approached me during my more than three-decades old beat at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex complaining of ill-treatment and favoritism by NSA officials.
Oh, if only you heard their moans and lamentations.
Anyway, don’t tell me I didn’t warn you. The POC has targeted a 50-gold medal haul for this KL SEAG. I don’t know where it is going to get the next 35 first places.
The bottom line is consistency. To achieve this, we need to change the old foggies at the helm. Enough of inertia, indolence and corruption. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Rev. 22:7: “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of this prophecy in this book.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
