Trillanes slams Cojuangco for dismal state of PH sports

MANILA, Philippines – Almost three weeks since the disappointing performance of the Philippine team at the 2012 London Olympics, questions on the country’s sports leadership continue to circulate.

Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, the chair of the Senate Committee on Amateur Sports, blamed the lack of vision of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for the failure of sports development in the country.

On Tuesday, August 28, during a Senate hearing on the status of Philippine sports, Trillanes slammed POC President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco for his alleged failure to provide clear leadership and reform programs. He said this was evident in the country’s inability to win a single Olympic medal during Cojuangco’s term as president.

Trillanes called Cojuangco “the greatest stumbling block to sports development.”

“For decades, sports development in the country failed to move forward and has consistently been derailed from its tracks due to lack of clear vision and necessary will for reforms,” Trillanes said.

“The way I see it, we must expect more dismal performances from our athletes unless our NSAs elect a new POC president and replace Mr. Cojuangco,” he added. 

Cojuangco first took the post on January 2005 and has been in position for almost 8 years. He plans to run for a third term this year.

Initiatives

Trillanes said that it has become increasingly obvious that the talent and hard work of Filipino athletes are not enough to win good medals, as he pushed for sports to be given national priority.

“We need a new champion for our sports programs who is gifted with vision and skills to instill grass root development and promote sports excellence,” he said.

In a recent interview with Rappler, Cojuangco said it is not so much a review of the POC that is needed, but more the prioritization of sports by the government.

“What is needed to be revised is the value that the government will give to sport,” he said. “Sports is not only winning of medals but also an integral part of growing our citizens properly. All the countries in the world have a sports training center. We not only have one but we have sports with no training facilities.”

In terms of sports initiatives put forward by government officials, a pending bill filed by Trillanes looks to create a Department of Sports. The department’s head would have a cabinet member position, as close to the President as possible, to help prioritize sports development and influence his decisions.

Another bill aims to construct a Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS), which will offer outstanding student-athletes scholarships and athletic and academic development.

The country’s performance in regional and international sports competitions have continued to decline over recent years. In the Olympics, the Philippines has failed to medal for 4 games in a row, since boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco took home a silver from Atlanta in 1996. – Rappler.com