Private sector support

Many seem to think that more money from government will solve all our problems with Philippine sports and we will win medals in the Olympics.

If it were that easy, then we probably would have already won a gold medal by just bloating the budget for sports on Olympic years.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way and our government has many other priorities. With the recent floods in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, the government would obviously pour more money to solve such problem before increasing the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the government body for sports.

So, shall we just give up our dreams? That is also the wrong attitude.

Let us look around and see what is happening in certain sports that we can learn from to help the country’s struggling sports development program.

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In yesterday’s column, I mention how the Philippine Golf Tour has been doing well in terms of uplifting the standard of professional golf in the country.

There is also the fledgling United Football League (UFL), which is doing a great job in terms of getting sponsorships and TV airtime.

The country has many marketing geniuses, who can help the various sports organizations get the much-needed support from the private sector.

Many companies have money to spend, but don’t know where to spend it. If we study what is happening in other countries, I’m sure many would be surprised to learn that even in the United States of America, which won the most gold medals in the London Olympics, the private sector is what is keeping sports going.

Of course, it is also important that sports leaders would be very transparent with their transactions and account for the funds given by the sponsors.

If the sports organizations meet the goals set by the sponsors that would make it easier to ask for more support.

What I have noticed is that once a sponsor shows interest, there are always those who want to get more from them and in the end turns off the interest of the benefactors.

Not only sports and politics don’t mix, but also the greedy leaders, who want to use them for their personal interests.

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I witnessed another change of command ceremony last Monday when Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva ended his two years and nine months stint as commander of Central Command.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta has been designated as acting commander concurrent with being commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Sports can learn from the military when it comes to changing commanders and continuing its programs. The new commander doesn’t mean an end to the good things done by the previous one.

The same should go for sports. We should not always change the system just because somebody new has become the leader. This is the reason why we lose what we have gained.

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MILESTONES: Belated happy birthday greetings to Joan Mitz Zamora, who turned a year older yesterday.

Today’s greetings go to Cebu Football Association treasurer Michael Veloso, Benjie Akol, Aquiles Zapanta, Krystle Agbayani, Portia Dacalos, my mistah Lt. Col. Alejandro Papa, and my cousins Walter Sandalo and Sheree Gale Nillas.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like Fire Sr. Supt. Esmael Codilla, Jasmin Malonjao, and my compadre Neilwin Joseph Bravo and his daughter, who are celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!