Local stakeholders call for changes to handling of sports affairs

HELD on the same day of the declared “National Day of Protest,” a group of concerned local sports stakeholders gathered yesterday in different places of the country to call for “much needed” changes to how sports affairs are being handled, including the resignation of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Jr.

In gatherings held in Manila and Cebu, local sports officials, both past and present, and other personalities made their voices heard for the need to reform Philippine sports if it is to go back to its illustrious standing before.

Citing the country’s showing in the regional biennial meet Southeast Asian (SEA) Games as prime example, the group advocating change, which includes Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, former PSC chairman Dr. Aparicio Mequi and Philippine Volleyball Federation president Edgardo Cantada, highlighted how Philippine sports has seemingly regressed.

It is putting the brunt of the blame on Mr. Cojuangco, whose leadership in the POC, the group claims, has not redounded well for Philippine sports.

Since taking the position of POC president in 2005, the group said the Philippines’ showing in the SEA Games has slid considerably, with gold medals won dropping from 113 in 2005 to 24 in the most recent edition held in Malaysia last month.

The poor showing that the Philippines had in the 2017 SEA Games proved to be too hard to accept, said the group, needing, now more than ever, for muchneeded reform and new leadership to replace Mr. Cojuangco.

Apart from the SEA Games “debacle,” the group has also taken to task Mr. Cojuangco and the POC for what it claims as unliquidated financial assistance given by the PSC for the various national sports associations from 2010 to 2016 as well as the funding for the SEA Games held here in 2005.

“Peping should resign and retire now and give way to young leadership for the good of Philippine sports,” said Mr. Fernandez in one of his recent interviews in the lead-up to the gathering calling for change.

Among those present during the Manila gathering at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex were Messrs. Mequi and Cantada, former Senator Nikki Coseteng, Susan Papa and Johnny Romualdez

COJUANGCO UNFAZED

Despite calls for his resignation, Mr. Cojuangco remained unfazed and instead enjoined those calling for his exit to just work for the betterment of Philippine sports.

“Those leading the call for my resignation have not done anything yet for Philippine sports… I’m just leaving everything to God. Let Him be the judge,” said Mr. Cojuangco in an interview with Judith Caringal over DZSR Sports Radio yesterday.

“As for the unliquidated funds, we went to the Commission on Audit already and have already explained it,” added Mr. Cojuangco even as he downplayed the protest against him and the POC as not having an effect to the hosting of the country of the SEA Games in 2019. —