Two-fisted move against lethargy in sports

You can call the two moves by the POC and the PSC twin shots against damning lethargy in Philippine sports. The moves were announced almost simultaneously.

1) Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas has called on all involved national sports associations to start laying down plans to upgrade performance in international competitions.

2) Philippine Sports Commission Chair Butch Ramirez announced serious strategic planning among concerned agencies to strengthen sports development programs in the grassroots.

The main participants in the PSC plan are the Department of Education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the PSC itself.

Ramirez said they are giving all-out support for grassroots sports development.

He said grassroots development starts in collaboration with best athletes from the Batang Pinoy, the Palarong Pambansa and international youth tournaments, who would be carefully identified to strengthen the country’s  talent base.

Vargas, for his part, will summon NSAs that participated in the last Asian Games for general evaluation.

“I will ask each NSA what happened,” Vargas said.

Vargas said they’ve got a base of data to analyze, and will use this as starting point.

Vargas, tested manager and problem solver, will most likely start with the results delivered in athletics and swimming, two medal-rich disciplines that failed to score in the Indonesian Asian Games.

As president of the national boxing agency, he more or less has an idea of what happened with his boxers and providing solutions.

There’s something intrinsically wrong with the system.

However, the bigger concern should be concentrated on how to introduce reforms and corrective measures.

In the case of the PSC, it should be able to do the scouting on its own. It could rely on available local experts to help out.

This may not be the case for the POC president.

Vargas may have to form a council of tested trainers and technical people, including those in sports medicine, to help in the total evaluation.

They may also have to consult with foreign experts, or hire trainers from countries like China in athletics, Cuba and Kazakhstan for boxing, to help out in the rebuilding and redirection of Philippines s sports.

It’s a big challenge they’re facing. The greater thing here is that the new POC president really means business.