POC-PSC united: A powerful force

In Angeles City Wednesday, what once was a rare occurrence augured the start of a fresh change in how Philippine sports will be running for the next few years, and hopefully, with lasting impact. At the fabulous C’ Restaurant just outside the former Clark Airbase, the entire board of the Philippine Sports Commission and the top officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee literally broke bread together to map out the country’s sports future.

Fresh from visits to the Youth Olympic Games, our nation’s top sports authorities had stories to share, plans to make, investigations to conduct, and were on a roll. Meeting outside the confines of Rizal Memorial Sports Complex afforded them unobstructed, uninterrupted time to gather their thoughts and craft their priorities. At their head office along Vito Cruz in Manila, people were constantly barging in, asking for their help, opinions, signatures and attention, either individually or collectively. Here, they could talk and think in relative peace, with their focus on long-range developmental plans.

Over the trademark panizza and a spectacular salad, risotto and new fare of beef ribs that patrons drive from Metro Manila for, the long table buzzed with a new energy that had grown stagnant during the last year and a half. Even officials of the Philippine Lawn Bowls Association based at Angeles Sports and Country Club were present and ecstatic. After bringing the Philippines the most gold medals at the Asian level up to 2008, the sport was denied funding by the past PSC administration in 2009 and 2010, allegedly because of their close affiliation with the POC. In spite of that, they managed to win a bronze medal with a lone entry to their world championships.

“This is really heaven-sent,” gushed PSC commissioner Buddy Andrada, a long-time pillar of Philippine tennis. “I myself was not expecting to be part of the rebuilding process. But now, we are hoping that we can find out all the things that went on during the last administration and move forward. The chemistry between the PSC and POC is really good.”

Among the first duties of the new PSC board has been house-cleaning, particularly the continuous discovery of what they consider anomalies of the last board, and reinstatement of the allowances of all national athletes after past PSC chair Harry Angping “disbanded” Philippine teams in January.

“Without going into details, we’re constantly finding new things to look into,” clarifies Com. Chito Loyzaga, who handles sports as diverse as arnis and petanque. “We’re keeping a close eye on things, because so much money was involved.”

Among the disbursements being looked at are a supposed nine-figure deal for infrastructure, a seven-figure sum for a deep well, a similar amount for a faulty security contract, and millions of pesos in unliquidated expenditures by some of the previous board members.

Meanwhile, there are several programs that needed to be reviewed and jump-started again. Among them is the Batang Pinoy, which was dormant for nine years under the prior dispensation.

“This is a very important program which should not have been neglected,” says POC chairman Monico Puentevella. “Especially now after we have seen the Youth Olympics. We cannot emphasize enough the value of the Batang Pinoy. We have to get moving on it right away.”

Another breakthrough will be the country’s hosting of the Asian Beach Games, which does not carry a restriction on the number of venues for its events.

“It is up to the host country to decide where to hold the events,” explained POC president Peping Cojuangco. “There is no limit to how many venues we can have. So we can use it as a way to promote all the beautiful spots in the country. This will be a great opportunity.”

Cojuangco also went on to reiterate his plan to build a training center for our national athletes inside Clark, and move away from the antiquated Rizal Memorial. Away from Manila, the athletes will be able to concentrate better on their training, will benefit from state of the art facilities and equipment, and won’t be saddled with the distractions of living in a highly-urbanized setting. Rizal Memorial, with its size and great monetary value, may in turn be attractive as a joint venture with property developers. Members of the diplomatic corps have already offered to sponsor venues and equipment for specific sports, such as the US supporting a new baseball diamond, for example.

Cojuangco also emphasized that the Philippines did remarkably well in the YOG, contrary to what critics have been proclaiming.

“How can you call it a debacle when our young athletes, in their first time in such a big competition, placed among the best in the world?” the equestrian chief asked. “It also underscores what we’ve been talking about all along: training, nutrition, psychology. The criticism has no basis. Never mind us. What about the athletes who worked so hard to compete? How will they feel? If some of them can improve their endurance, they can do even better. It was a great experience.”

After lunch, the group visited potential sites for the proposed training center, after which plans will be drawn up so that the project can move fast. And with the POC and PSC on the same page, it may happen sooner than later.

* * *

Sabado Four will be performing at the PUP College of Law tonight in a show called “Sabado Four Meets The Barristers”. Sunday, the group will host a “Twilight Run” starting and ending at the University of the Philippines gym at 4 p.m., and will perform inside the gym after the 3K, 5K and 10K events.