In what could be her final shot at glory after winning the individual equestrian gold in the 2002 Busan Asian Games, Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski bared her plans to see action in the 23rd SEA Games to be staged in the country in November 2005.
In a rare appearance at the PSA Forum the other day, where his father, equestrian president and former Congressman Jose "Peping" Cojuangco talked about the forthcoming POC elections, Mikee declared that she’s still fit to compete.
"I’m still active," said the charming equestrianne who’s also into show business. "I’m not competing internationally as I used to but that’s just to give the younger riders a chance to be exposed."
In her mid 20s, Mikee said she’s been riding "almost everyday" just to stay fit so when the time comes that she’s called in to compete for the country, she’d be able to do so.
"If there’s a chance for me to bounce back, I’m ready, and so is my horse, Rustic Rouge. In fact, the SEA Games being held here will be a great advantage for us since we don’t have to travel with our horses," she said.
During the Busan Asiad, Mikee saved her best for last as she won the country’s third gold medal on the last day of competition. It came as a big surprise to almost everyone because she was not among the favorites.
Two golds will be staked in equestrian for next year’s SEAG–the team and individual showjumping. Mikee said the country has a very strong chance of winning both events that could be held at the newly-developed San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
The elder Cojuangco, who’s being urged to run against incumbent POC chief Celso Dayrit, cited an experience in Busan as one of the reasons why he’s considering running for the top POC post.
"I saw something that made me feel sad in Busan," he said. "I saw the reaction of the people to Mikee’s winning the gold. I saw how happy they were. But that saddened me. How can we be happy with only three gold medals in the Asian Games?
"We are a nation of 80 million people and we can only win three gold medals in the Asian Games? That really saddened me. We are going nowhere. So we must change the system (in sports). That’s why I’m willing to help (in the POC)," said the Tarlac official.
"It will take a lot of development before our athletes can reach our level before. And we have to train them very young. We have to give them the proper training and exposure, and feed them not when the competition is already near," he said.
Cojuangco, who will turn 70 in September, cited golfer Jennifer Rosales and bowler Liza del Rosario as perfect examples on how Filipino athletes should be developed. Without really spoiling them, Cojuangco said there’s so much to be done to help them.
"Sayang lang that Jennifer failed to win the US Open (last week). If only she worked just a little harder. Imagine a Filipina winning the US Open (the biggest tournament in women’s golf). That would have been a big boost to Philippine sports," he added.
"Gutom na ang Pilipinas. Our country is hungry for winners," said Cojuangco, who vowed to do his best if and when he becomes POC chief. "Because I don’t want na at the stage of my life eh dito pa ako papalpak."