INAMIN ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Ricky Vargas na lubhang mabigat ang kalalagyan ng Team Philippines sa 2019 SEA Games at suntok sa buwan kung mauulit ang pagiging overall champion ng bansa nang huling mag-hots ang bansa sa biennial meet noong 2005.
“To be honest? No!” pahayag ni Vargas, patungkol sa tanong ng local media hingil sa posibilidad na muling makamit ng bansa ang overall championship sa muling pagho-host ng Pilipinas sa SEA Games sa susunod na taon.
“To aim for No. 1 is very difficult, but to aim for the top three is possible—it depends on how we manage the events and the sports,” aniya.
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“Look at Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore, they’re all above us [in the medal tally of the Asian Games. And look at their silvers and bronzes, they’re golds in the SEA Games.”
Ang Asian Games ang ginagamit na batayan para sa kahihinatnan ng kampanya sa SEA Games overall medal rankings.
Matapos makamit ang 2005 championship, bumagsak ang kamopanya ng Pilipinas, sa pangangasiwa noon ni Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco, nang makamit ng bansa ang ikapitong puwesto sa 2007 SEAG sa Nakhon Ratchasima, at nabigo nang makapsok sa top three sa 2009 Laos, 2011 Palembang, 2013 Myanmar, 2015 Singapore at 2017 Kuala Lumpur.
At kung pagbabasehan ang resulta ng kampanya ng Team Philippines sa naklipas na Asian Games sa Jakarta, Indonesia, may katuturan ang pananw ni Vargas.
Sa SEAG member na sumabak sa Asiad, nanguna ang Indonesia na may 31 ginto, 24 silver at 43 bronze para sa kabuuang 98 medals. Ang perennial SEA Games champion Thailand ay nasa ika-12 puwesto tangan ang 11-gold, 16-silver at 46-bronze, habang ang Malaysia ay ika-14 (7-13-16) at ang Vietnam ay ika-17 (4-16-18).
Nakasikwat ang Philippines, kinatawan ng 272 atleta sa 31 sports, ay nakapagwagi lamang ng apat nag into, dalawang silver at 15 bronze.
“It is obvious that grassroots development and talent identification have to be ramped up,” sambit ni Vargas.
“NSAs [national sports associations] need to clean up their act. We cannot allow bickering and power struggles to weigh down our athletes’ efforts. They [NSAs] must foster inclusivity, transparency and accountability.”
“Cooperation with the PSC [Philippine Sports Commission] is vital—this is a no brainer. Coaches development should be given impetus. We need to look at improving in sports where we can be competitive in,” aniya.
“In the end, it’s all about the athlete. Train them well, provide for ther needs, keep them motivated, inspired and focused—and shield them from politics. They can and will deliver.”
