Buhain umapela kay Dayrit

Hiniling ni Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Eric Buhain ang mas malaking papel ng pamahalaan sa pagho-host ng bansa sa 2005 Southeast Asian Games kung saan pwedeng magkapit-kamay ang PSC at ang Philippine Olympic Committee.

Umapela si Buhain kay POC president Celso Dayrit, pinuno din ng Philsoc, na makakakumplemento ang PSC sa Philsoc at POC kahit na maging isang coordinating agency lamang sa pagitan ng SEAG organizers at lahat ng pamahalaang ahensiya na tumulong sa paghahanda ng 2005 SEAG.

"The SEA Games is a very large undertaking for the government and we feel government should be given a voice in the selection of events, among other things, for the 2005 Games. We feel it is our obligation, along with the POC, to the Filipino people to assure that we will be able to even surpass our victories in Vietnam," ani Buhain.

Kamakailan lamang, inihayag ni Dayrit ang ilang POC at National Sports Association officials sa iba’t ibang komite na naatasang mamahala sa preparasyon ng pagho-host ngunit wala ni isa man lang sa PSC. Bagamat ang POC at PSC at magkapartner na noong 1991 Manila SEAG.

"No PSC official, however, was included in the committees and we feel that as active partners in sports, the PSC should be given a voice in the preparations. Kahit isang tao lang. Talaga naman kasali kami sa preparasyon for the SEA Games. Pero kung coordinator lang ang gobyerno, hindi kami makakakilos ng husto sa paghahanda. There are so many factors to consider that is why we are batting for a greater role in the endeavour," ani pa ni Buhain.

Ayon pa kay Buhain, makikipagpulong siya kay Dayrit upang talakayin ang kanyang alok at naniniwala itong pakikinggan ni Dayrit ang kanyang mga hiling.

"Madali namang magkasundo ang mga sports leaders, like in the case of the most recent preparations for the Vietnam Games. Mr. Dayrit was very cooperative with government and what we saw was a very smooth handling of the Games for the Philippine delegation from Day 1 until the end of the Games," ani Buhain.