Phl finds strong ally in OCA chief

MANILA, Philippines - The president of the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah of Kuwait, yesterday made a strong pitch for the Philippines.

The distinguished visitor did it in front of President Aquino during a 30-minute courtesy call at Malacanang.

Al-Sabah is in the country to preside over the 32nd OCA general assembly scheduled tomorrow at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Over a hundred delegates from the 45 member countries of OCA, mostly the presidents of their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs), are in the country.

The event was originally scheduled last November in Boracay but had to be reset after Typhoon Yolanda struck and left a tremendous trail of devastation.

Yet, the OCA president insisted on holding the event here.

“First we have to show our sympathy for the Haiyan (Yolanda) crisis. And we, the whole sports society not only in Asia but internationally, are looking to help with the recovery from the crisis especially in the part of sports facilities,” he said.

The former officer of the Kuwaiti Army and former chairman of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said there’s no better time for OCA to visit the Philippines than now.

“We were very keen to hold it here to show our unity, solidarity and be the signal to all over the world that Philippines and Manila is a secure area,” he said in a brief media briefing.

“And tourism can be here any moment because the recovery is doing well and Manila is always welcoming visitors from around the world,” the 50-year-old Sheikh added.

Philippine Olympic Committee chief Jose Cojuangco, an uncle of the President, accompanied Al-Sabah to Malacañang. They were joined by OCA director general Husain Al-Musallam.

Cojuangco said it was a “very cordial” meeting that would have lasted longer if not for the busy schedule of both leaders.

“They did mention something about sports facilities. But basically it’s more of a cordial meeting between two leaders who spoke the same language. They have the same due points on a lot of things. That’s why it was a good conversation,” said Cojuangco.

“I don’t think sports was taken up too much. But I guess, it’s more of the relationship between Kuwait and the Philippines. They both have a good relationship for quite some time,” Cojuangco added.

Al-Sabah said the Philippines and Kuwait has always been in “very good standing,” and through sports, as head of OCA, he hopes to further strengthen the relation.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, Kuwait, an oil-rich nation, was one of the first countries to throw their support by donating $10 million.

Al-Sabah said President Aquino finding time to see him at the Palace is proof of the “positive relations with these two countries.”

International Olympic Committee vice president John Coates of Australia also spoke about the deadly typhoon that struck the Philippines late last year.

“The IOC and its president Thomas Bach have already expressed its sympathy. And we are here to continue to provide encouragement to the Philippines at a time shortly after it had been devastated,” said Coates.

“It’s good that we are all here,” he added.