Athletics chief’s boast not an empty one

KUALA LUMPUR (Via Globe Telecoms) — Athletics chief Go Teng Kok was all smiles as he strode from the VIP stands to the shoulder of the tracks to embrace gold medallist Ernie Candelaria.

"I’ve told you before if I don’t win at least seven gold medals, call me boastful," said Go moments after congratulating his ward, who gave the Philippines its first gold medal in the 400 meters since 1987 and its third after two days of competition.

Now, everybody is beginning to agree that Go’s words are no empty boasts.

"You see, I marked the events of Candelaria, Fidel Gallenero (decathlon) and Eduardo Buenavista (3,000m steeplechase) with a double dollar, which means I am doubly sure they would win the gold," Go said.

"I’ve been misquoted in the papers which reported I would retire if my sport won seven golds but would not do so if I don’t meet my target," said Go.

He admitted that when he took over as head of the athletics association, the sport deteriorated in terms of gold medal production. The Philippines had 8-8-7 gold-silver-bronze medals in 1991, 6-6-7 in 1993, 5-1-5 in 1995, 3-4-3 in 1997 and 1-6-5 in 1999.

"I just want to give back to PATAFA what it had in the past (seven golds), then I can retire with a clear conscience," he said.

His coaches agree that Go, who has spent more time helping in the ouster of national sports association presidents like those in weightlifting, karatedo, cycling, and recently basketball, has now dedicated his time to attend to the personal needs of his athletes.

"He gives our athletes all their training needs and vitamins and has doubled their allowances," says national coach Mario Castro. "Mataas ang morale ng mga bata."

Go said that since assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission comes in trickles, he had decided to reduce his national training pool from 90 to 25, eliminating those with no gold medal potential in the SEA Games. He also reduced the number of coaches from 15 to six.

"Iyong na-save namin eh iyon ang ginagamit naming para sa training ng mga athletes," he said.

With this scheme, Go was able to send his elite athletes to compete in Taiwan, Thai, and Vietnam Opens and World Championships using funds saved from a drastic reduction in the pool of players and coaches.

He also spent his own personal funds to send his athletes to the recent Hong Kong, Singapore and Brunei athletic meets as part of their buildup to the SEAG.

"I’ve read in magazines that you have to send your athletes to 20 competitions to prepare them for the Olympics, so that’s what I’m doing in the Philippines," he said.

For the first time, the Philippines won a gold in the 400m since the time SEA Games record holder Isidro del Prado last did it in 1987. Candelaria, who was taken into the national team in 1999 despite being ineligible (he did not meet the criteria), finished with a silver medal. It took only two years before Candelaria improved on his best personal mark and did so from his coach and the record holder himself — Del Prado.

Buenavista is also being groomed to make the finals in the 3,000m steeplechase of next year’s Asian Games in Pusan, Korea.

"Give him two years and he will be of Asian caliber," said Go.