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MANILA, Philippines – “Five gold medals in the Olympics.”
Embattled Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco made that bold statement regarding the country’s gold medal chances in the world’s top sporting event to be held in Tokyo, Japan in 2020.
Cojuangco made the promise on Friday, September 29 during the thanksgiving party for Philippine athletes from the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
“I already have two sure candidates in mind,” said the chairman but refused to disclose who they are. “I have a strong feeling they can win it, but I don’t want to mention the sport. I don’t want to pressure them.”
“We just have to fuel them up with high-octane gasoline and their performances can translate into gold medals,” Cojuangco added.
Although Cojuangco feels confident about the athletes’ fortunes, his track record as chairman precedes him, as Philippines has only medaled once – a silver last year with Hidilyn Diaz – in his 13-year tenure. In the 2012 Olympics, Cojuangco also oversaw the smallest delegation to ever be sent to compete since 1932 in Los Angeles with 11 athletes.
He was grilled in the Senate after a dismal performance in the 2015 SEA Games, where the country limped to 6th place. Philippines fared no better this year either, as their rank stagnated at 6th. The senators even called to defund the POC and instead send funds straight to the national sports associations (NSAs) – a suggestion backed by 8-division boxing world champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
The Philippines earned just 24 gold medals in Kuala Lumpur – less than half of the 50 gold goal predicted by chef-de-mission Cynthia Carrion.
Despite this, Cojuangco did say that the committee is finalizing plans for a training center facility in Clark Green City. “We need a training center to achieve this. Without a training center, getting those medals will be difficult.”
Cojuangco is currently in his 4th term as POC chairman that will run until 2020. – Rappler.com
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