So who’ll care for Philippine sports?

WE WILL be facing what promises to be the worst sporting era under the next administration.

The Philippines has remained a dominant doormat in the Southeast Asian Games under the administration of President Noynoy Aquino.

This means we cannot afford to slip further, finish any lower in the biennial competition among the youths of the Asean region.

* * *

Too bad, cried veteran sportswriter Eddie Alinea, that there was not even a single mention about poor Philippine sports as the presidential debates for the next national elections wound up in Dagupan City over the weekend.

They didn’t even have to promise anything, wrote Alinea in his column for PhilBoxing.com yesterday, they just have to show signs that something would be done for Philippine sports.

Alinea added this means the next national leader could just be as unmindful, uncaring about sports development in the country as the outgoing one.

* * *

A pity, because, as stated in the national charter, it’s the duty of a national leader to care for and attend to the well-being of the citizenry, mainly the youth.

Alinea cited an article under the principle and state policies which says: “The state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.”

Going to specifics, Alinea cited Article XIV, Section 19 of the Constitution: “The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence, for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.”

* * *

“Kulelat na naman ang Atletang Pilipino,” Alinea cried, noting how the Philippines finished sixth in last year’s SEA Games in Singapore; after having slipped to seventh in 2013, its worst since joining the biennial meet in 1977.

The SEA Games, which host Philippines topped in 2005, is considered the lowliest sports competition in the Asian region.

Lowliest among the lowly, noted Alinea, the Philippines as dominant doormat.