Source: Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnnews.com
-- The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is insisting on sending 250 athletes to the Laos Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in December despite the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) announcement that it will only fund 153 of them.
“It is the Philippine Olympic Committee that has the right to send athletes abroad to compete on behalf of the Philippines,” said POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.
Cojuangco said POC is willing to fund the athletes that will not fall under the PSC’s own list of qualified athletes.
The PSC selected to finance 153 Filipino athletes, most of whom were gold and silver medalists in past competitions.
The selection is just 25 percent of the 627 athletic delegation that competed in the 2007 SEAG in Thailand where the RP finished 6th overall with 42 medals.
“Kung silver and gold lang ang ipapadala natin everytime, ilan lang ang silver and gold? Pagkatapos noon silver and gold ulit, e sabi natin youth development para sa mga bata pagkatapos noon hindi natin ipapasok ang mga bagong prospects,” said Cojuangco.
Cojuangco also said he is open to mend fences with PSC chairman Harry Angping. He, however, stressed the PSC official would have to do the first move.
“Bakit naman natin gagawin makipag-ayos in front of media? Kung gusto niyang makipag-ayos tumawag lang siya sa amin. Naka-tatlong beses na kaming nakapag-usap n’yan. Hindi ko naman siya tinatanggihan eh,” said the POC president.
POC signs pact with 361 Degrees
Meanwhile, the POC has entered an agreement with China-based 361 Degrees Co. Ltd., which will provide all sportswear, gears and accessories by the national athletes competing in various international tournaments up to 2010.
POC chairman Monico Puentevella said the Chinese firm will provide “for free” shoes and other apparel for all the athletes participating Laos SEAG, the 2010 Asian Beach Games in Muscat, Oman, the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China and 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore.
The POC has signed the agreement with 361 Degrees at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila.
“We are honored to be the official outfitter to provide the POC its sportswear needs for 2009 and 2010,” said Zhao Feng, 361 Degrees’ deputy director for sports marketing and brand manager, through an interpreter.
The PSC also entered a similar agreement with Accel as the outfitter for the SEAG.
However, the POC and the PSC do not see any problem with having two outfitters for the SEA Games.
“Na-order na ’yan so I think puwede naman gamitin ’yon sa training. As far as the POC is concerned, ito ang susuotin ng mga atleta natin sa awarding and everything,” said POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros.
Angping said that having two outfitters will be beneficial for the athletes.
“It is another reason for the athletes to be motivated,” said Angping. With a report from Business Mirror
Thursday, October 29, 2009
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