MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. said he would rather focus on funding the athletes’ training rather than bidding to bring the Asian Games back in Manila.
“Hosting again the Asian Games is not a problem for we have the chance. But how can we host the Asian Games when we cannot even support our own athletes?,” asked Cojuangco.
Cojuangco said that the national government should take the lead if ever the country wants to host the Asian Games in the near future. The country hosted the second edition of the Asian Games in 1954. That year the Philippines won 14 gold medals to finish second in total medals. At the 2010 games in Guangzhou, China, the Philippines won just 3 gold medals and finished in 19th place.
“The national government should take the lead, not only the POC. But we need to be decisive and show interest [in bidding to host]. It should be a national effort,” said Cojuangco.
Cojuangco added that it will be a big task of hosting the Asiad. “You are talking of 45 competing country’s and 35 sports. You are going to host thousands of athletes, officials and other dignitaries.”
The former Tarlac first district representative said the facilities are there with the construction of new venues like the Mall of Asia Arena and the 75-hectare Philippine Arena in the town of Bocaue in Bulacan.
POC First Vice President Joey Romasanta said that hosting international competitions like the Asian Games and the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games also improves the economy of a country.
“It opens up the country and hopefully more people will get interested. We heard reports that after the SEA Games, investors have shown interest on Myanmar,” said Romasanta. “It will connect the Philippines to
the rest of Asia. Let us not limit this event to just sports. This is for the entire country.”
The 2014 Asian Games will be held in Incheon, South Korea from September 19 to Ocotber 4 while the next edition will be held in 2019, to avoid clashing with the 2018 International Federation of Association Football World Cup in Russia, in Vietnam. – Rappler.com
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