Not to say that the fabulous Azkals could have slipped and lost on a turf less spectacular than the rehabilitated RizalMemorial Stadium. But now that it has become clear the totally refurbished arena helped bring out the best from the Azkals, credit should go where it’s due.
Here’s to De La Salle University for humbly seeing through the total rehab of the once-neglected football field.
You can bet it was the heroic spirit of the La Salle Brothers which goaded the noble institution through the monumental job; despite threats from misinformed top national sports officials who questioned the project over suspicions of a sweetheart deal.
“The Philippine Sports Commission under Harry Angping had a MOA with La Salle, which took charge of rehabilitating the field,” confirms the Inquirer’s Jasmine Payo. “In exchange, the PSC allows La Salle’s varsity teams to have access to the facilities.”
Philippine sports could’ve not wangled a better deal.
* * *
This would not be the case with Jose Romasanta, POC secretary general.
Explained Romasanta: “It was grossly wrong and unfair of Go Teng Kok to lump me with other sports officials whose integrity he has been assailing. I was merely the subject of a temporary restraining order which he filed regarding the leadership issue in the national karatedo association. He tried to compel the POC not to recognize me as acting president of karatedo. An election was held and I did not run for any position. Karatedo now has a new set of officers. Funny, but he has also filed for damages. I should be the one filing for damages, after he grouped me with others whose integrity he had questioned. I challenge him to produce a single evidence against my clean record as a businessman and sports official.”
* * *
Now, let’s give the floor to Mark Joseph, embattled president of the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association:
“Can Pasa save itself from drowning? My unequivocal answer is yes. While I am facing charges before the Ombudsman, the rest of Philippine Swimming Inc. is running smoothly. All our athletes are focused on their preparations for the SEA Games, and in hard training to bring glory to our country once again.
“Aside from the SEA Games, we do have our 2012 London and yes—our 2016 Rio Olympics programs on track. Philippine Swimming Inc. is not short on talent.
Based on our strategic plan, we are on track with the swimmers we have been training at our Center of Excellence in Los Baños, Laguna
“This goes to show that with a good program, we can produce quality swimmers locally that will compete side by side with other Filipino swimmers training abroad that are members of Pasa. We will continue to send swimmers on scholarships year after year, using our Center of Excellence program.
“As regards the case filed against me by Nikki Coseteng, I really can’t say anything about it because I have not been served a copy of the charges filed at the Office of the Ombudsman. What I can say is that the sensational amount of publicity it got was not entirely accurate, and that I am confident about defending and acquitting myself against the charges.
“One thing is sure, though. There is a group surrounding Ms. Coseteng that wants to take control of Philippine Swimming Inc. Sometime last year or the year before, they tried to petition Fina, the international swimming federation, for recognition but were flatly denied. So, I guess that these wannabes are looking for a new forum to try and wrest power by other means. This might explain a good part of why there is a relentless media campaign against me in particular.
“I’m not going to be here forever, so we will have to train the next generation of swimming leaders to step up on the blocks for their turn in the relay. Should that day come, and my leg in the relay is over, then I’ll gladly climb out of the pool and cheer the next leader of Philippine Swimming on.”
Here’s to De La Salle University for humbly seeing through the total rehab of the once-neglected football field.
You can bet it was the heroic spirit of the La Salle Brothers which goaded the noble institution through the monumental job; despite threats from misinformed top national sports officials who questioned the project over suspicions of a sweetheart deal.
“The Philippine Sports Commission under Harry Angping had a MOA with La Salle, which took charge of rehabilitating the field,” confirms the Inquirer’s Jasmine Payo. “In exchange, the PSC allows La Salle’s varsity teams to have access to the facilities.”
Philippine sports could’ve not wangled a better deal.
* * *
This would not be the case with Jose Romasanta, POC secretary general.
Explained Romasanta: “It was grossly wrong and unfair of Go Teng Kok to lump me with other sports officials whose integrity he has been assailing. I was merely the subject of a temporary restraining order which he filed regarding the leadership issue in the national karatedo association. He tried to compel the POC not to recognize me as acting president of karatedo. An election was held and I did not run for any position. Karatedo now has a new set of officers. Funny, but he has also filed for damages. I should be the one filing for damages, after he grouped me with others whose integrity he had questioned. I challenge him to produce a single evidence against my clean record as a businessman and sports official.”
* * *
Now, let’s give the floor to Mark Joseph, embattled president of the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association:
“Can Pasa save itself from drowning? My unequivocal answer is yes. While I am facing charges before the Ombudsman, the rest of Philippine Swimming Inc. is running smoothly. All our athletes are focused on their preparations for the SEA Games, and in hard training to bring glory to our country once again.
“Aside from the SEA Games, we do have our 2012 London and yes—our 2016 Rio Olympics programs on track. Philippine Swimming Inc. is not short on talent.
Based on our strategic plan, we are on track with the swimmers we have been training at our Center of Excellence in Los Baños, Laguna
“This goes to show that with a good program, we can produce quality swimmers locally that will compete side by side with other Filipino swimmers training abroad that are members of Pasa. We will continue to send swimmers on scholarships year after year, using our Center of Excellence program.
“As regards the case filed against me by Nikki Coseteng, I really can’t say anything about it because I have not been served a copy of the charges filed at the Office of the Ombudsman. What I can say is that the sensational amount of publicity it got was not entirely accurate, and that I am confident about defending and acquitting myself against the charges.
“One thing is sure, though. There is a group surrounding Ms. Coseteng that wants to take control of Philippine Swimming Inc. Sometime last year or the year before, they tried to petition Fina, the international swimming federation, for recognition but were flatly denied. So, I guess that these wannabes are looking for a new forum to try and wrest power by other means. This might explain a good part of why there is a relentless media campaign against me in particular.
“I’m not going to be here forever, so we will have to train the next generation of swimming leaders to step up on the blocks for their turn in the relay. Should that day come, and my leg in the relay is over, then I’ll gladly climb out of the pool and cheer the next leader of Philippine Swimming on.”
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