PSC seeks greater role in ’05 SEAG

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain yesterday sought for a greater government role in the country’s hosting of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, saying the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) could work as a joint endeavour between the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Buhain aired his appeal to POC president Celso Dayrit, also the Philsoc head, even as he said the PSC could complement the Philsoc and the POC even more than just acting as a coordinating agency between the SEAG organizers and all government agencies involved in the 2005 joust.

"The SEA Games is a very large undertaking for the government and we feel government should be given a voice in the selection of events, among other things, for the 2005 Games. We feel it is our obligation, along with the POC, to assure that we will be able to even surpass our victories in Vietnam," Buhain said.

Dayrit had earlier named key POC and national sports association (NSA) officials to several committees tasked to monitor the conduct of preparations for the event. He, however, did not consider names outside of the POC circle although the POC and PSC were active partners in the 1991 hosting of the Manila SEAG.

"No PSC official, however, was included in the committees and we feel that as active partners in sports, the PSC should be given a voice in the preparations. Kahit isang tao lang. Talaga naman kasali kami sa preparasyon for the SEA Games. Pero kung coordinator lang ang gubyerno, hindi kami makakakilos ng husto sa paghahanda. There are so many factors to consider that is why we are batting for a greater role in the endeavour," said Buhain.

According to Buhain, he will soon meet with Dayrit to discuss his proposal, saying he believes the POC chief will give him an ear to his pleas.

"Madali namang magkasundo ang mga sports leaders, like in the case of the most recent preparations for the Vietnam Games. Mr. Dayrit was very cooperative with government and what we saw was a very smooth handling of the Games for the Philippine delegation from Day 1 of organization until the end of the Games," Buhain said.

Buhain, who was presiding over a 2004 Strategic Planning Session with key PSC officials, said the government is putting a lot at stake to ensure the success of the SEAG staging.

"We have seen the Philippines nearly topple then perennial champion Indonesia when we last hosted the Games in 1991. It is also likely that the Philippines would be able to achieve what it nearly did in 1991, and we will invest in our athletes to be able to do it," Buhain said.

Buhain also promised to work closely with all sectors involved in the preparations, including local government leaders and officials from health, transportation and communication, police and military, finance and many other government agencies to ensure a smooth flow of activities for the Philsoc.

"Tulungan talaga iyan e, and the PSC is willing to take a very active part in the preparations along with officials of the Philsoc, POC and the NSAs," Buhain said.