MANILA—Better days await national athletes in 2011.
Olympic head Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. made a promise that athletes will receive better treatment from their sports leaders as the Philippine Olympic Committee steps up its pursuit for excellence next year.
“I will not wish anything for the athletes but I want them to know that many people are working hard for them,” said Cojuangco.
“And I assure them that they will be 100 percent better off next year than in 2010,” he added.
Cojuangco cited the teamwork between the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission as the crucial formula to transform his promise to reality.
The PSC, which bankrolls the national team, pledged more international exposures for athletes, sufficient training allowances and better living conditions in its facilities.
The POC, meanwhile, is laying down the groundwork for a sprawling national training center where active and retired athletes are expected to benefit.
Both the POC and the PSC are also working hand in hand to increase the war chest of the PSC for the welfare of the athletes.
“I’m giving the assurance that our countrymen will no longer be disappointed when the national team competes in big tournaments abroad,” said Cojuangco.
Team Philippines captured three gold medals in the Guangzhou Asian Games, one less than its output in the 2006 Doha Asiad.
The POC, however, managed to give slots to young athletes, who got to experience what it takes to compete in events of such magnitude.
The country also came home with an empty bag in the 1st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August and the 2nd Asian Beach Games held in Muscat, Oman, two weeks ago.
The national team will be gearing up for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia aside from several qualifying tournaments for the 2012 London Olympics.
“With the way things are going right now, I expect improvements in the coming months,” said Cojuangco.
“But there are many things to do so I will ask everybody in the next (POC) general assembly to help us out,” he added.
