The general expectation is that as the development of a society proceeds, its sport sector is benefited by the improvement in the social environment and the resulting increase in available financial resources. But this has not been the experience of Philippine sport. Why this has been the case is explained by two events related to the sport sector.
One was the reelection of Jose Cojuangco Jr. to a fourth term as chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). There have been insinuations that Mr. Cojuangco’s re-election was attended by tactics similar to those employed by the former president of the International Olympic Committee, Sepp Blatter, before his ouster following his re-election to a fourth term. Whether or not the insinuations have basis is not what is important. What is important is that Mr. Cojuangco was re-elected again and again despite a dismal record as the head of the Olympic movement in the Philippines. That record consists of one bronze medal and one silver medal – that was won by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in the 2016 Olympics – during his entire tenure of the POC presidency. Anyone with that kind of record of performance has no business allowing his name to be put forward for re-election as POC head. That position is not a family heirloom, nor is it a reward for non-performance.
The other event that serves to explain why Philippine sport has not kept pace with the development and progress of Philippine society was the decision of Jean-Philippe Lhuillier to withdraw his candidacy in the recent election for president of Philta (Philippine Lawn Tennis Association). The scion of the Cebuana Lhuillier fortune, a steadfast and generous supporter of Philippine tennis, apparently withdrew in view of the decision of the longtime Philta president to not withdraw his candidacy in the election. Mr. Lhuillier obviously wanted a chance to try and bring back the time when the Philippines was a power in the Asian tennis scene; today this country no longer figures prominently in Asian tennis. The incumbent Philta president cannot be faulted for not doing his best, but his best has not been good enough. The result has been a continuing slide in the fortunes of Philippine tennis.
Clearly, there is a need for a change of leadership in Philta, just as there is a clear need for a new man at the helm of POC. When he has not performed well, an incumbent should give way to someone with the potential to turn things around. Philippine sport has no place for individuals who think that they are irreplaceable. It is precisely the “I am irreplaceable” mindset that has brought Philippine sport to the non-winning situation that it is in today.
The leaders of Philippine sport need a change of attitude toward a greater sense of shared vision. More than that, each of the sports especially the sports in which this country has the best prospects, needs a padrino (godfather) who, with his deep pocket, will provide it with sustained financial support. The government cannot be depended upon to answer for the financial needs of the numerous sport associations; the budget provided by Congress for the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) simply isn’t sufficient for the associations’ needs.
The SBP (Samahan sa Basketbol ng Pilipinas) and the Gilas Pilipinas, the national basketball team already have a padrino: Manuel V. Pangilinan of the Metro Pacific/PLDT/Smart conglomerate. Tennis has Lhuiller, who has picked up where the late Manuel Elizalde left off. Boxing and taekwondo also have their benefactors. More than a dozen other sports, including soccer and running still don’t have benefactors.
It is a great pity that other conglomerates are so focused on basketball, in which, for physical reasons, this country is unlikely ever to win Olympics acclaim. Sports that are sorely in need of sustained financial supports are soccer, swimming, weightlifting (in which Hidilyn Diaz’ training without assistance, brought this country its first silver medal in several decades), archery, sailing and the track-and-field sports. In terms of value for money sustained support for these sports would make very good business sense for the captains of Philippine industry. Just look at Mr. Pangilinan: the public approbation he has garnered for his steadfast generous support of Gilas is every public-relations man’s dream.
The Tokyo Olympics is only three years away. To deserve their long tenures as heads of their organizations, Mr. Cojuangco and his counterpart at PSC should go out and actively win support for Philippine sport among this country’s business leaders.
The bottom line, is, without the support of the business community, Philippine sport will continue to flounder in international competition.
E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com