Carrion sees need for strong PH start

Cynthia Carrion. Photo from Philippine Olympic Committee

The Philippines should have a strong start for the medal rush in the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur by fielding in Filipino athletes in sports scheduled before the opening ceremonies.

Chef de mission Cynthia Carrion said Wednesday that athletes from archery, synchronized swimming, football, netball and water polo could provide Team Philippines the initial push in its campaign as they perform ahead of the Aug. 19 opener.

Carrion, also board member of the Philippine Olympic Committee, added Filipino athletes would play in 38 of the 39 sports where a total of 405 gold medals are up for grabs in the biennial meet.

“It would be good for us if we could perform well in sports which will be played early to inspire and motivate the rest of the delegation,” said Carrion, president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines.

She recently attended the chef de mission meeting among the 11 countries in KL and was amazed at the venues that Malaysia have built and renovated for the Games.

She noted that the Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex, the hub of the Games, has been getting the needed facelift while a new velodrome is being built for track cycling events.

POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. said he hopes to sit down with Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez soon to begin the preparations for 2019.

Meanwhile, Cojuangco, criticized harshly for holding on to his post, got back at his chief detractor by calling PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez a game fixer.

“He used to fix games against Toyota,” said Cojuangco during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum on Tuesday.

Fernandez has been highly critical on the way Cojuangco does his job as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee for the past 13 years.

“Do you want a sports leader who can throw a game away just for money?” said Cojuangco. “How would the athletes feel if they have that kind of a leader?” he added.

Fernandez, currently in Japan on an official trip, has yet to respond to Cojuangco’s accusation.