RP athletes promise their best in Laos amid PSC-POC rift
by Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/11/2009 2:09 AM
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MANILA -- Despite ongoing skirmishes between the country’s sports governing bodies, Filipino athletes vowed to give their best in next month’s Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Laos.
“Lahat po kami umaasang makapag-uwi ng gintong medalya,” said amateur boxer Annie Albania, who won the country’s only gold medal in the recent Asian Indoor Games (AIG) in Vietnam.
“Iyong pagsisikap naman puspusan, hindi kami nagpapabaya sa training,” said the Filipina bantamweight during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue Branch in Manila.
Her compatriot Mitchel Martinez, who won silver in the AIG light welterweight division, said she is looking for a better finish in Laos.
“Iyong mga kulang ko sa Vietnam, iko-correct ng coach namin,” she said.
They said the RP boxing has begun preparations for the 25th SEAG immediately after the 2007 edition where the Philippines finished 6th with 42 old medals.
“Simula noong SEA Games noong 2007 tuloy-tuloy ang training namin hanggang World Championships, hanggang sa ngayon sa AIG. Wala kaming tigil sa pagte-train, tigil kami kaunti lang pero bumabalik ulit,” said Albania.
Even Filipino karatekas representing RP in the biennial meet are expecting a better showing in Laos owing to a more intensified preparation.
Noel Espinosa, silver medalist in the 24th SEAG individual kata, said he is more confident in competing this time because he was given a more focused training.
“Medyo okay ang improvement ng kata ko kasi tutok ako sa training ngayon eh,” he said.
Their coach, David Lay, said the teams to watch out are those coming from Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.
“Masaya na ko siguro if we get two to three golds, if we get only one that’s another production. What we promise though is we’ll give our best,” he said.
The county is aiming to improve from its 6th place finish in the 2007 SEAG as it sends nearly 250 athletes to Vientiane, Laos this December amid disputes between the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
POC officials have been at odds with PSC chairman Harry Angping over differences on policies and priorities.
Angping said the PSC has not received a courtesy invitation from the POC to join them in Laos.
“I’m not sure if I will still go there since I’m not in the list and unwelcomed. I think they got it under control,” said Angping.
In fact, POC president and 2005 Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) chairman Jose Cojuangco Jr. filed a P10 million libel rap and other charges against Angping and several others before the Makati Regional Trial Court on Monday.
In return, the PSC said it will file a case against Cojuangco for his alleged failure to liquidate the P73,243,524.86 funds spent in the staging og the 2005 Manila SEAG.
Angping claimed the Philsoc failed to return the balance from the total expenses it incurred amounting to a little over P267 million. With a report from The Philippine Star
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