POC sees potentials in 4 sports

Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit yesterday underscored the need to enlarge the pool of athletes for four sports – marathon, archery, air rifle and women’s lifting – which can give the Philippines big medal potentials in future Olympics.

"Look at who won the women’s marathon in Sydney – a Japannese runnner who stands only 5-foot-1," Dayrit said in the PSA Sports Forum held at the Holiday Inn.

"China saw the early potential of women’s weightlifting and its lifters also made a good showing in Sydney," added Dayrit, recalling how Filipino boxers and taekwondo exponents were generally given a raw deal in their respective events.

"We must consider sports that are measurable and where the decision is not based on human discretion," said Dayrit "because we do not like our athletes to suffer the same fate of our boxers and jins who were largely victims of biased officiating."

He told sportswriters during the forum sponsored by Red Bull, Agfa and McDonald’s that the inherent advantage of promoting the four sports is decentralization.

Athletes need not train in Manila although their training will be a joint effort of the POC, national sports associations, Philippine Sports Commission and local government units, he said.

"The sports I have mentioned do not require a large expense and the community can also be involved in supporting the athletes," Dayrit said. "I believe that wen can really excel in these disciplines I have mentioned."

Dayrit, who assumed the POC presidency last year after Cristy Jalasco was eased out on a no-confidence vote, said if given the opportunity he would like to serve a full four-year term "because I have a vision to solving the problems in Philippine sports."

"If my peers still believe I can be of service, I would like to serve for a full term," said Dayrit who was hopeful that next month’s elections "would not be divisive because our officials have worked very hard in trying to unite everyone within the POC."

"I am hoping that politics will not mark the elections since we have a lot of challenges facing us, particularly our preparations for the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia," Dayrit said.

"Ultimately, those who think they can serve and are deserving should run in the POC general elections," Dayrit said.

During the 18 months he has served as POC president, Dayrit said the POC has achieved a stability "and we are now proactive in promoting the programs of our national sports associations."

The POC elections are scheduled Nov. 26.