Angping’s b-day wish: A united PSC, POC

Sports has long been relegated to the sidelines in the Philippines with athletes lacking proper funding and in constant need of support. Instituting reforms in the system is an uphill battle, to say the least. Things get more complicated when the two most influential sports bodies in the country—the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)—are at odds with each other.

These issues were all tackled on Tuesday at the 58th birthday celebration of PSC chairman Harry Angping. Bitter truths Presidential candidate Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, who was the main guest of the event, said that it would be hard for any administration to prioritize sports in this country. He added the bitter truth: Sports can never be a priority for any administration since there are more pressing concerns that need immediate attention such as education and health. As sobering as it seems, Teodoro’s statement only reflects the current state of Philippines sports. However, he said that sports can still flourish if there’s a united effort among top sports officials from the PSC and the POC. "The first plan for sports is to get the leaders of [the two organizations] to get along and come up with a workable plan of action that," said Teodoro. The big rift The PSC and the POC, which is headed by Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr., have been at odds with each other since Angping, a former softball president and Manila Representative, assumed office last Feb. 2009. The conflict developed when Angping instituted a tough policy in sending and supporting Filipino athletes competing in international tournaments. The POC has called for the immediate removal or resignation of Angping. Reconciliation talks Despite the leadership conflicts, athletes continued to deliver honor for country and in the last Southeast Asian Games in Laos, where the delegation won 38 gold, 35 silver, and 51 bronze medals. Thus, the Philippines improved its standing from sixth in 2007 to fifth place in the overall standings. This development may have paved the way for Angping to indicate once more his willingness to hold reconciliatory talks with the POC. "My birthday wish is to see the PSC and POC working as one. I do believe that for Philippine sports to succeed, the two sports bodies must unite. And I’m open to any talks for reconciliation and I do believe it will happen soon," said Angping. When asked about what he would do to help resolve the situation, Teodoro answered, "[The two groups] would have to agree on that plan because I cannot dictate a plan on them." "In this case, it’s up to the PSC and POC to dictate the course of developments. If they do establish amicable relations once again," Teodoro said. "We can probably convince Congress, Senate and the private sector in a tripartite capacity to fund it with the goal of having a gold [medal] in the 2012 London Olympics." Teodoro likewise expressed his desire to see sports discipline gaining more popularity through the right marketing plans. He added that he sees no problem in the hiring of Fil-foreign athletes to don the national colors in international competitions. "As long as we can see in them their desire to help the country then we can allow them to represent the country," he said. Olympic dreams The call for unity is evidently the topmost concern in Philippine sports. In a separate interview, POC spokesman Joey Romasanta again stressed the need for unity. "Lahat naman ng bagay ay naaayos at napagkakasunduan. Trabaho lamang ito at walang personalan. Pero kailangang intindihin at respetuhin ng dalawa ang kani-kanilang roles sa sports para magkaroon ng magandang samahan," said Romasanta. ("Everything can be put in order and agreed upon. This is just work—it’s nothing personal. The two groups (POC and PSC) just have to understand and respect each other’s roles in [Philippine] sports so they would have good working relations.") - FVI/JVP, GMANews.TV