Taking summit to next level

The mood was upbeat at the end of the sports summit that gathered athletes, coaches, mayors, governors and officials from the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission and Local Government Units at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex last Friday.

It was a 9-to-9 affair. What was originally a two-day event turned out to be just a one-day get-together but despite the shortened schedule, the coverage of the topics lined up for discussion was comprehensive. Vice President Jojo Binay hosted the farewell dinner and delivered a stirring speech to cap the convention that focused on working together to promote sports.

While the summit participants vowed to keep the flame burning, there was apprehension that the fire must flicker out before long. They talked about getting together, staying in touch and moving to the next level. There were promises of coordination and cooperation. A sports official commented that the summit was “good but not great,” pointing to the low turnout of elected public officials.

Two mayors were listed in the program as presentors but neither Bacoor’s Strike Revilla nor Cebu’s Michael Rama showed up. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa was supposed to deliver a speech as guest of honor with the topic “Sports as a Component of the Social Development Agenda of the National Government.” He was represented by Undersecretary Michael Musngi. Fortunately, President Aquino’s Cabinet was well represented by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Department of Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro. Also in attendance were Leyte Gov. Carlos Petilla and Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali.

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POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. and PSC chairman Richie Garcia couldn’t be disappointed with the show of support from the Cabinet and had to be pleased as the summit echoed the theme of unity. But to make it worthwhile, the participants must actualize what they pledged. It’s good to talk things over but the proof of the pudding is in the doing. The country is hungry and eager for results. The performance in the last Southeast Asian Games was dismal and President Aquino is impatient for a resurgence. So far, only one Filipino athlete has qualified for the London Olympics and boxer Mark Anthony Barriga sneaked it through the backdoor, not by outright merit but by claiming a ticket because he lost to the gold medalist in the quarterfinals. Long jumper Maristella Torres is claiming an Olympic slot but until she is certified by the international track federation, her ticket can’t be processed.

Sorting out priorities in a clear direction is critical. POC chairman Monico Puentevella said the encouraging note was that the summit brought the participants on the same page. One of the points he raised was to prioritize more sports high schools instead of stadiums.

“The Palaro spends P150 million every year for new stadiums which mostly turn out to be white elephants,” he said. “We enjoy one week of sports extravaganza but after a few years, the new swimming pool becomes a tilapia pond. Instead, we need more sports high schools. Remember that sports schools garnered gold medals for Australia and now, they’re being implemented in Singapore. We challenged the Department of Education to restore more sports PE hours in the curriculum like the previous years in place of home economics and gardening. The DepEd must coordinate sports events and calendar with CHED like before when Palaro was one with the elementary, high school and college all played within two weeks to produce continuity – the continuity that developed Lydia de Vega, Mona Sulaiman, Isidro del Prado, the Velasco brothers and many more. Today, after identifying kids in the elementary and high school, they don’t know where to go. So far, the University Games under Br. Roly Dizon has done that but mostly for private colleges and universities. A public school product doesn’t know where to go since entrance exams to private schools are tough for provincial athletes.”

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Robredo called for the strengthening of the regional and local sports councils with an emphasis on Batang Pinoy, more regional training centers for skilled athletes not to leave their hometowns and continue their scholastic agenda, not to be lured to Manila and set aside their studies. Br. Armin batted for sports academies, particularly football, in identified regions and closer coordination with the POC and PSC in staging the Palaro.

Petilla presented Leyte’s provincial sports program complemented by private sector assistance and a strong training infrastructure. It was crafted by former PSC executive director Lucrecio Calo. Umali said there should be less politics in sports and urged governors, mayors and congressmen to help, and not fight, each other for honors.

Puentevella said a highlight of the summit was Garcia’s disclosure of low budget equipment that LGUs may purchase directly from China such as a rubberized track oval for P6 to P8 million, all-weather grass surface at a much lower rate than other imports, the hiring of regional coaches and trainers for deployment in provinces all over the country, the institutionalization of regional training centers and the selection of priority sports.

  The POC and PSC are working overtime to deliver positive results in the next Southeast Asian Games and to lay down a blueprint leading to an improved showing in the Asian Games and Olympics. With the LGUs involvement, there is now a closer coordination for talent identification, training and development. Paying lip service to the summit’s goals won’t get anyone anywhere. It’s time to unite, forget politics and believe that as Filipinos, we can excel in sports and do our country proud.