The Philippine Olympic Committee yesterday expressed delight over President Aquino's vow to promote football and other sports where Filipinos can be successful in the wake of the recent success by the national booters popularly known as Azkals.
POC spokesman Joey Romanasanta said the President's "active interest and concern is something that augurs well for the future of Philippine sports."
POC chair Monico Puentevella also lauded Aquino for "following the footsteps" of his mother and late former president Corazon Aquino who signed Republic Act 6847 which created the Philippine Sports Commission in 1990.
Aquino announced during a courtesy call of the Azkals on Thursday that "the whole sports program is currently under review."
POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and PSC chair Richie Garcia earlier presented Aquino a blueprint of Philippine Sports last week.
The President said priority should be given to boxing and shooting but "of course football is on top of the list, given what they have already demonstrated."
After reaching the AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals for the first time last year, the Azkals whipped Mongolia, 2-0, in the first leg of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying last Wednesday before some 20,000 fans at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
Emelio "Chieffy" Caligdong and Phil Younghusband provided the goals for the Azkals.
