Monday, November 26, 2007 Arroyo wants gold in Beijing By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo exhorted members of the Philippine delegation to the 24th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Thailand to perform well make and their country proud in the biennial meet during a rousing send-off in Malacañang Friday afternoon.
Turning to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and the country's top sports officials that included Philippine Olympic Committee Jose "Peping Cojuangco, President Arroyo then reiterated her desire to win RP's first Olympic gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"She reiterated her orders to get our first Olympic gold," said Ramirez, who reported that the President was in a festive mood during the gathering at the Heroes Hall.
Ramirez said he also reminded Arroyo that it was during the administration of her late father, Diosdado Macapagal when the country came close to winning the gold medal when boxer Anthony Villanueva won the silver in the 1964 Tokyo Games.
Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, another boxer, then followed that up with another silver-medal finish in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Ramirez said the President promised incentives for the athletes in the SEAG campaign.
"We have never forgotten the honor that you gave us the last time," Mrs. Arroyo told the athletes, referring to the 2005 SEAG edition when the country bagged the overall title in Manila.
The 24th SEAG fires off in Thailand from Dec. 6-16, with Ramirez and other top officials, including chef-de-mission Representative Monico Puentevella, joining the athletes in their quest for sports supremacy.
Ramirez said the President was also clearly setting her sights on the Beijing campaign when she met with the athletes and officials.
"She wants the gold in Beijing," said Ramirez, who planed in to Davao City early Saturday morning and later hosted dinner for sports journalists.
