Sunday, August 24, 2008 Padilla: Overhaul RP sports programs By Nars Padilla Sportscope
WITH the below par showing of our 15 athletes who saw action in at least eight disciplines in the XXIX World Olympic Games in Beijing which ends tonight, our top sports officials should stop "yakitiyaking" why we lost. Of course, from the very beginning we do not have a down to earth effective training program which we can compare with the best in the world like that of China, United States, Great Britain or Germany to say the least. Or even Indonesia, Thailand or Malaysia our Asean neighbors which are in the medal row. We can't blame the athletes for their failure to bring home some bacon. They, all of them, tried individually their very best in their respective sports events. But their best is not good enough!
At any rate, let us welcome them home warmly. Give each one of them a pat on the back even for their failed efforts to give flag and country pride and honor. As I see it, what we need is – more than ever – "to overhaul the country's sports leadership machinery." "Getting the right man to do the right job at the right time," must be the guiding principle and the premier yardstick in the selection of RP sportsmen at the helm. No more politicos please! I personally would recommend "career sports men in the sports spectrum!"
May be, we should learn from Project: Gintong Alay, "the what, the how and the whens!" Gintong Alay in the 1980s proved to all and sundry that the Filipino athlete can perform and achieve with flying colors!
At this writing, China has changed the Olympic landscape in many unprecedented ways, full of superlatives. This includes the state of the art venues (infrastructure), their mode of welcome reception for athletes and officials, colorful pageantry of their various ceremonies which are rated excellent and incomparable including international food servings. And many more Olympic hospitality offering including sights and sounds which are primarily Chinese.
Tonight, the Olympic curtains will go down to showcase once again that the Beijing Games is truly "One World, One Dream!" It will be another spectacle of people, history and culture. And fireworks! And many more surprises to flood memory lanes.
The two-week tournament of muscles, grace and skills which started Aug. 8 with 10,500 athletes culled from 205 countries on the center stage also portrayed to the world that host China is now the new world power in global sports firmament, which used to be the enviable plum of Uncle Sam. The present scoreboard shows China is the undisputed leader with 46 gold medals, 15 silver and 22 bronze medals. The United States which was the overall champion in the last Olympiad billed in Athens four years ago has to its credit 30-36-34 is second place with Great Britain on the third with 18-12-11. Russia the third overall medal harvester in the last world Olympics was elbowed out to the fourth slot with 16-16-22 while Germany is in the fifth place with 13-9-13. There will be more medals that will be added to achievers today but the leadership board will not be affected in terms of ranking.
Of course, there is no doubt that the powerful NBA selection in both the men's and women's Team USA will dominate and rule their respective championship matches. The men-cagers are out to "redeem" lost prestige against Spain while the women hardcourt U.S. Five will defend their crown against powerhouse Australia.
Good news! Our Pinoy wushu warriors in Beijing are our saving grace! Willy Wang made the country proud with a gold medal win in taulo particularly in the individual nanquan/nangun event. He finished on top with 19.44 points. Pe Wei from Taipeh took the silver with 19.39 points while Malaysian Pei Fu Zhun sealed his performance with 19.34 points to pocket the bronze medal. In the men's sanshou event Baguio girl Marianne Mariano assured herself with a bronze medal which could change to either silver or gold after her next encounters. We have yet to know about Baguio boy Benjie Rivera and Mary Jane Estimar in the four-man RP wushu cast who are scheduled to see action Saturday night. Both are RP's sanshou aces with international training experience and exposures. "Sayang lang kasi, wushu is just an exhibition sport in the Beijing Olympics." Their performances on the ring will not count in the medal tally.
First Gentleman Mike Arroyo a staunch supporter of wushu witnessed the fights where our national athletes proved their worth. He was the happiest man on the spectators stand when our national anthem "Lupang Hinirang" was played as our flag was being raised. Of course, incentive cash awards will be given to our wushu medal winners. May be the PSC or the POC. Any color. But not the amount for gold, silver or bronze medal awardees as stipulated in the RP incentive Act by the Philippine Congress. Okay lang basta meron!
Meanwhile, it will be another sleepless night for me tonight. I will have to watch with gusto the closing ceremonies of the Olympiad. Join me and together let's enjoy the fun and adventure via the TV lanes!
