Rogge pledges all-out support

SEOUL — In an unconditional gesture of support, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge of Belgium said yesterday he is 100 percent behind the efforts of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in lifting the country’s suspension by the Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA).

POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr., first vice president Rep. Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City, secretary-general Steve Hontiveros and legal counsel Egmidio Tanjuatco welcomed Rogge’s support during a 45-minute meeting in a private room on the Second Floor of the COEX Intercontinental Hotel here.

The meeting was arranged by IOC representative of the Philippines Frank Elizalde.

Rogge met the Philippine delegation from 12:15 to 1 p.m., in between other meetings in his tight schedule. He was accompanied by IOC Solidarity director Pere Miro.

"Dr. Rogge was extremely friendly and expressed support for what we’re doing in the POC for the development of Philippine sports," said Cojuangco. "I met him for the first time the other day but only informally. This was the first time we sat down to talk for an extended period."

Cojuangco took the opportunity to brief Rogge on the POC’s campaign to lift the country’s FIBA suspension.

"Dr. Rogge was well-versed on the issues," continued Cojuangco. "It seemed like he was thoroughly briefed by Mr. Miro who is aware of our situation. Dr. Rogge assured us that when it comes to Olympic qualifying competitions, the IOC takes precedence over an ISF (International Sports Federation)."

Puentevella told Rogge that in the last Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the suspension deprived millions of Filipinos of the opportunity to watch the country’s most popular sport.

"We’ve suffered enough," said Puentevella. "I mentioned that taking away basketball from Filipinos in the SEA Games which we hosted is like taking away football from the French, Dr. Rogge commented that he understood what I meant, saying it’s like taking away taekwondo from the Koreans."

According to Puentevella, Rogge said he hopes the POC delegation will find the solution to its problem before leaving here for home.

Instead of Rogge, Miro will attend the stakeholders meeting with FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel set last night.

Cojuangco invited Rogge to visit Manila for the National Games in June.

"The first thing I’ll do when I get back home is to check with the NSAs (National Sports Associations) and LGU (local government units) as to their preparations for the National Games," said Cojuangco. "If Dr. Rogge’s schedule will permit, we’d like him to be our guest during the Games so he can experience Filipino hospitality and see for himself how we love sports."