Like government, like sports

MANY ARE asking why we did not win gold medals in the last Olympics. Being one of the oldest if not the eldest in sports I would like to share my analysis. I have been associated in sports since we first participated in the Olympics with one athlete and with Dr. Regino R. Ylanan as the flag carrier, head and coach.

Many countries improved much while we lagged behind because of some reasons. Historically, sports in the Philippine had been controlled by the politicians, from Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, Jorge B. Vargas and Don Antonio de las Alas, although politics is prohibited by the International Olympic Committee. Fortunately, the Church does not interfere because religious intervention is also prohibited. Businessmen are exploiting athletes which is also prohibited.

Some sports leaders are more concerned in just joining athletic delegations. One cause of our failure is corruption. Some politicians are using sports for their political ends.

Like government, like sports. Sports nowadays is in the hands of the wrong people who are more interested in publicity.

The Philippine Sports Commission is a government entity duplicating the powers of National Sports Associations. It becomes the dumping place of political supporters. It was created by politicians supposedly for the grassroots but the funds are not spent mainly for its purpose. Some leaders are giving bad examples to the youth.

The real objective of sports is to develop the youth spiritually, morally, mentally and physically. Winning medals is only secondary. But the press publishes the number of medals won and the winners of championships and the public is more concerned about them.

We should not blame the athletes for not winning medals as long as they did their best. We should limit our participation on sports where we excel. Sports leaders should inspire athletes to play more for love of sports and country rather than for money and publicity.

*The author is a former president of the Philippine Olympic Committee and a member of the UST Glowing Goldies team that won the 1956 UAAP basketball championship.