to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy… and to laugh along the way
We need a pathway that is visible, accessible and continuous. We need a grassroots sports program could help identify talent outside the major urban centers. We need a successful pilot program that could demonstrate how schools, local governments, sports associations and national agencies can work together to develop athletes. The aim is not merely to find the next champion. It is to build a sustainable system capable of finding and developing champions year after year.
There is definitely a need for systemic improvements in Philippine sports development. And there are actionable steps the Philippines can consider to strengthen future SEA Games performances.
2021 has been a good year for Philippine Sports. We hope to see more and better results from our athletes in the year ahead. Given the leadership and the wise counsel from the PSC and the POC, we are more confident of the road up ahead.
We may have won as one in the recent SEA Games, but we lose in the long haul if we continue to cast a blind eye on the deep flaws that continue to plague Philippine Sports. It is precisely this misuse of authority that compeled the best of our sportsmen, our thinkers, our leaders to exercise their talents away from our native shores; the same abuse of authority that caused the clear demise of Philippine Sports during the past decade. Let us not allow this same tragedy to ever happen again. Let justice and unity prevail in Philippine Sports.
Today, the Games begin. Let us go to the gym and cheer for the home team. Let us cheer for all the participants and show our visitors the great hospitality we have always been known for. Let’s celebrate the oneness. Let’s carry our pride and nationalism up our sleeves. Let’s go, Philippines!!! We win as one!!!
When Cojuangco was at the helm of the POC then, dubious and newly-created sports associations would suddenly be accredited, while legitimate and long-standing sports organizations were disenfranchised and stripped of their NSA status.
