With the possible sale of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and the Philsports Complex in Pasig City set for renovations, a problem looms for athletes bound to this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco Jr. yesterday aired this concern as the two training facilities will probably be closed a few months from now.
“I am worried from what I’ve been hearing,” said Cojuangco yesterday during the first POC General Assembly among leaders of various national sports associations (NSA) at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
“The facilities in ULTRA (Philsports) will undergo repairs and renovation. Rizal (RMSC) could possibly be closed due to the sale. With six months to go (before the SEA Games) where will the athletes train and condition themselves,” added Cojuangco.
The biennial event in KL is scheduled Aug. 19-31 with the Philippines aiming to move up and improve from its dismal sixth-place finish during the Singapore meet two years ago.
With the exception of a few sports like boxing and athletics, the two facilities – Philsports and RMSC – are the main training venues and quarters of majority of the athletes that will compete in the SEA Games.
More that 500 Filipino athletes were listed to the Kuala Lumpur event as the country competes in 37 of 38 sports disciplines. Another sports facility that is being used by Filipino athletes is the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City although there are times they use the RMSC and Philsports.
If and when the sale of RMSC pushes through and makeover starts at Philsports, Cojuangco said Filipino athletes training for the SEA Games have no other option but to go to Iba, Zambales.
“We’ll be looking for other possibilities if and when the facilities have been closed,” said Cojuangco.
Meanwhile, the POC will amend some provisions in its by-laws to address some contentious issues that were raised during the election last year, including the term “active participation” of the POC candidates, as well as age limit and the term of office.
The POC formed a three-man committee composed of 1st vice president Joey Romasanta, Rep. Prospero Pichay and Atty. Ramon Malinao, the POC lagal counsel, will study the proposed amendments and submit its proposal to the POC Board for review.
The final say will come from the General Assembly in its next meeting in March.
On the other hand, Cojuangco appointed former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia as special assistant to the POC president, while billiards secretary general Robert Mananquil has been named as the POC’s media bureau chief.
During the same GA, Rio De Janeiro Olympians Mary Joy Tabal (marathon), boxers Charly Suarez and Rogen Ladon, Ian Lariba (table tennis) and silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting) received their commemorative pins from the IOC for participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Not able to attend were long-jump entry Marestella Torres, swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuña, taekwondo jin Kirstie Alora, hurdler Eric Cray, golfer Miguel Tabuena, judoka Kodo Nakano and weightlifter Nestor Colonia.