Bong Coo wants safe spaces in sports

Newly appointed sports commissioner Olivia “Bong’’ Coo will be pushing for a body within the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) that will be tasked to investigate athletes’ complaints once she assumes office.

“There should be a committee where they (athletes) can [file complaints]. It’s difficult to immediately file a complaint to the police, so there must be an office that will handle it,” said Coo during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.

The international bowling hall of famer is an advocate of safe sports, where athletes can air their grievances. Coo, also a sports administrator, has also been a staunch proponent of women in sports.

Under the US federal law, the central concept of safe sports evolves around the prevention of sexual abuse of minors and amateur athletes by requiring the prompt reporting to law enforcement authorities.

It likewise includes the promotion of a safe environment in sports.

‘Adopt measures’

“The POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) is already starting to adopt measures in implementing safe sports. In fact, we had one webinar about it a few months back,” said Coo, who will step down as chair of the Women in Sports Commission of the POC.

According to Coo, who also resigned as president of the Philippine Bowling Federation due to her PSC appointment, safe sports is not only confined within the realm of sexual abuse of athletes.

The four-time world bowling champion and the most decorated athlete in Philippine history said safe sports covers a wide array of issues involving the relationship between an athlete and a coach or among officials, athletes and parents as well.

“We have to educate them about the proper relationship between athletes and coaches, especially at the grassroots level in the provinces,” said Coo, who was the first to be appointed by President Marcos to the PSC board.

The new administration has yet to designate a PSC chair as well as three more commissioners to join Coo in the policymaking board. INQ