POC: Olympic bid a nat’l effort

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco is calling on the support of all sectors, both the government and private, as the country takes another shot at that elusive gold in the Olympics.

“It’s best to make this a national effort than an individual effort,” said Cojuangco.

Cojuangco stressed that winning the Olympic gold is not just the task of the athletes but those behind them, from the POC to the Philippine Sports Commission to the various national sports associations (NSAs).

As well as the private sector.

The POC president, who longs to see the country win its first Olympic gold under his watch, is calling on the private firms, corporations and individuals to pitch in.

Starting next month, the Filipino athletes will start competing in the different Olympic qualifying events, each one hoping to make it to the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The Filipino boxers, perennial source of pride in the international arena, will be first on the block when they vie in the Asian Championships from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5 in Bangkok, where the top boxers advance to the World Championships in October in Doha.

The top three fighters in each weight class in Doha will earn tickets to Rio.

The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines headed by Ricky Vargas will welcome any support from the PSC, the government’s funding arm in sports, and the private sector.

“We can sell it to the private sector. They might be interested in potential gold medalists in the Olympics, including the boxers,” Cojuangco said.

Cojuangco will bring up the issue when the POC holds its general assembly tomorrow.

The Philippines wants to qualify as many athletes to Rio, and those who will make it will start getting special treatment.

“They will be given special attention,” said Cojuangco, and here the private sector can play an important role.

“If we can get one person to adopt (an athlete) then it will be a good system, some sort of contribution. That’s what our athletes need – the proper attention,” he added.

The last time the godfather system was fully implemented was during the 2005 Manila SEA Games, where the private sector shouldered the bulk of the training expenses.

Cojuangco said the contribution from the private sector, upon the prodding of then First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, eased the burden on the cash-strapped PSC.

“We all know the result. We won the overall title in the SEA Games,” said Cojuangco, adding that it can be done again for the 2016 Olympics.