POC to fund athletes

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Olympic Committee has threatened anew to sever ties with the Philippine Sports Commission as it plans to start funding the national athletes, from the elite ones to those who’ve been stripped by the PSC of their monthly allowances.

POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. said he would tap the private sector to help him do the job.

“We are concerned with the athletes who are not being supported by the PSC for the last four months,” said Cojuangco, referring to the hundreds of athletes who did not pass the PSC grade and failed to join the 200 others who continue to receive allowances from the PSC this year.

“I pity these athletes. It’s very sad that these athletes who are sacrificing a lot for the country are not being given support by the PSC. So the decision is for us in the POC to find out which is the best remedy to help these athletes,” said Cojuangco over DZSR Sports Radio.

The PSC under chairman Harry Angping dissolved the national pool after last year’s Southeast Asian Games to pave the way for a fresh batch of deserving athletes, and has named 13 athletes so far, and 187 others as members of Team B.

Among the elite athletes are Biboy Rivera of bowling, tennis’ Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey of tennis, Wesley So of chess, Maristella Torres of athletics, Miguel Molina and Daniel Coakley of swimming and Marna Pabillore of karatedo, among others.

Cojuangco said the POC wants to take over the funding of the athletes – with no exception.

“Especially the young ones. How will they develop if you don’t support them? We’re not gonna take this sitting down anymore. Maybe we can start with it after the elections,” said Cojuangco, adding that the different NSAs (national sports associations) will end up with their respective godfathers.

“We have NSAs with their own godfathers already but the rest we need to help them. I just asked for a complete list of all our athletes so we will find out who are not being supported by the PSC. Maybe we can look at the private sector to help them,” said Cojuangco, who aired the same plan last year.

Cojuangco said Frank Elizalde, the International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines, is supporting the move, which is expected to draw mixed reactions from the NSAs, especially those whose athletes are getting heavy support from the PSC, and may have doubts on the POC capability to fund their athletes and programs.

Angping said it’s so much easier said than done, and the PSC chairman raised some serious questions, considering that the POC plan comes just seven months before the country participates in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

“Does he (Cojuangco) already have a program for this? Or is he saying things without even thinking? Does it mean that he will start funding these elite athletes for the Asian Games? How will these athletes survive if he fails to raise the funds?” said Angping.

“Has he consulted with all the NSAs? Maybe he should withdraw the athletes from the PSC (support) right away, meet with the NSAs and tell them, ‘Forget about the PSC because from now on it’s the POC and Mr. Cojuangco that will support and fund you,’” said the PSC chairman.