Vicente: The elusive gold

(Before anything else our prayers and sympathy go to all our kababayans affected by floods.)

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WITH the Olympics coming to an end Team Philippines has its attention back to the drawing boards as hopes failed to accomplish their missions. But hats off to them because we know they did their very best and were aiming for nothing less but the gold. But circumstances made it hard to achieve.

But instead of sourgraping, the experience in this year’s Olympics could be an additional tool to strengthen their arsenal and come back stronger next time. We are Filipinos and what we have is persistence and a “never say never” attitude.

Other problems surrounding their training and preparation maybe perennial but it would be a waste of time to ask those concerned to attend properly to their jobs and deal with these problems. However, our athletes are sure to go back to their trainings more inspired and eager because they’ve learned a lesson or two. These lessons will help them the next time they carry the colors of our beloved country.

This may also inspire our sports officials to grow a backbone and fulfill their obligations to our athletes and further sports development in the Philippines.

When that time when we are able to snatch our first Olympic gold will be the time we could say our country has evolved into an athlete-oriented country, ably taking care of its athletes. Taking care of our athletes means taking care of our future leaders.

Leaders, which the Philippines badly needs right now, especially in our task of chasing the elusive Olympic gold. We need an unrattled sports leader, focused not on how he will prosper using sports but rather how Philippine Sports would flourish through him.

We have all the tools and we have all the raw materials in our athletes so where lies the problem? Management! Or maybe the lack or absence of it.