Officials start spadework for Olympics
The ball is rolling as far as the country’s bid for the 2008 Beijing Olympics is concerned.
Three days before Christmas, the country’s top sports officials sat down and came up with a clear-cut agreement on how to ensure success in the next Summer Games.
Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella was named chef-de-mission of the RP delegation to
“This is going to be our most serious pursuit. President Arroyo wants that medal that’s why she is all out with her support. Our athletes will go there prepared,” said Puentevella.
He said a meeting with the national sports associations with qualified athletes will soon be held, so they can map out their programs for overseas training.
Puentevella said the President and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo will be at the forefront of the fund-raising for the Olympic quest.
“Things are in shape. And by January next year we expect the PSC budget doubled,” he said.
So far, eight Filipinos have qualified for the Beijing Games. They are swimmers Miguel Molina, James Walsh, Ryan Arabejo and Daniel Coakley, taekwondo stars Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero, boxer Harry Tañamor and archer Mark Javier.
Qualifying tournaments in these and other sports are still lined up early next year, and officials are looking at a few more qualifiers for the country.
Joining Puentevella in the meeting were Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco, and secretary-general Steve Hontiveros
“This will be the core group of our country’s Olympic campaign,” said Ramirez who was tasked by President Arroyo to see to it that everything falls into place for the Olympics.
“I told the group that the PSC will be all-out with its support. The PSC is willing to consume the P30 million the President gave us as long as it is properly spent,” he added.
The money coming from President Arroyo will be spent on the training of the Filipino athletes, and all their basic needs in training – from uniforms to equipment.
“I want all the requirements ready by the first quarter of next year,” said Ramirez, adding that the athletes have enough time to prepare for the Olympics that begins on
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