POC looking at foreign coaches

MANILA, Philippines - The hiring of foreign coaches could be the key to success for Filipino athletes who will compete in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in June.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco said the different national sports associations taking part in the SEA Games should seriously consider the idea.

“We are not belittling the capabilities of our local coaches but from time to time we must consider inviting foreign coaches in,” said Cojuangco.

Not too many sports associations currently employ the services of foreign coaches, and the POC chief said that sometimes it could spell the difference.

When boxer Onyok Velasco won a silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, it was a Cuban Raul Liranza who headed the coaching staff.

That was the last time the Philippines won a medal in the Olympics.

Cojuangco said Filipino athletes and coaches should keep in step with their foreign counterparts and one good way to do this is to hire foreign coaches.

There are coaches from different countries specializing in different sports, and officials of the different NSAs should know where to get them depending on their needs.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said the government agency will provide the budget to hire the foreign coaches.

Garcia said they can come in as soon as possible.

“The PSC has agreed that we will get foreign coaches for every NSA that will participate in the SEA Games for a period of three to four months,” said Cojuangco.

“So we can pick up some of the latest technique or those we haven’t learned yet. That will be part of our program for the coming SEA Games,” he said.

The plan to quarter the athletes vying in the SEA Games was put on hold but may begin this January or February or five months before the SEA Games.

Because of limited space at the Philsports Arena, only 150 or 200 athletes will fit in the quarters.

“The athletes in sports with godfathers can take care of themselves. They can manage. We will focus on those with no godfathers,” said Cojuangco.

“But those in boxing or basketball, we know that Mr. Manny Pangilinan is taking good care of them,” added the POC chief.