POC takes new approach in Olympic quest

The Philippine Olympic Committee general assembly, composed of the country’s different national sports associations, has agreed to take the backseat and give the POC leadership full power in identifying and taking care of athletes with potential to win a medal in the 2008 Olympics.

POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco bared this at the SCOOP sa Kamayan session yesterday, hoping this approach could lead to the country winning its first Olympic gold medal in the Beijing Games.

"We arrived at a unanimous decision. We’ll identify and train potential Olympic medal winners on a person-to-person basis and no longer through the NSAs," said Cojuangco.

"But this is only for the Olympics. As far as the SEA Games is concerned, we’ll use the old practice wherein the NSAs take care of their athletes," Cojuangco added.

The POC top honcho said they intend to sustain Team Philippines’ worthy showings in the last SEA Games and the recent Asian Games, and hoped the country would nail the elusive Olympic gold in Beijing.

Cojuangco said the POC has discussed with Philippine Sports Commission the best plan and program that could lead to a competitive campaign for the gold in the 2008 Games.

"Olympic gold medal in Beijing is a possible dream," said PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.

"Our tandem with the POC will work continuously with focus on winning an Olympic gold medal. And we’re preparing early. By February, we have athletes already leaving for Korea, China and Russia for training," said Ramirez.

Cojuangco and Ramirez stressed, though, that the country’s campaign in the SEA Games in Bangkok next year won’t be taken for granted.

"We’ll try to defend our overall championship in the SEA Games. Malaki ang delegation natin dyan. But of course iba ang Olympics. We want a definite plan for the Olympics. We’ll identify talents who can compete creditably in the Games," said Cojuangco.

Ramirez mentioned the boxers, taekwondo jins, archers, fencers, gymnasts and divers who could well make it to the program.

Ramirez said they would be sent abroad for extensive and scientific training.

This early, Doha Asiad gold medalists Joan Tipon and Violito Payla are among those expected to be put under the care of the POC for the country’s Olympic quest.

"Ang plano dito, hindi lang atleta ang bibigyan ng financial support. All athletes committed to the Olympic quest will have their families supported by the POC and the PSC," said Cojuangco.

Cojuangco is looking at a training budget of P1.5 million per athlete.