Yes Virginia, age does matter

A lot has been said about the forthcoming election of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The clamor for incumbent chairman Peping Cojuangco or at the least, to allow Ricky Vargas of the ABAP to run in the election, has become almost universal and deafening.

The case against the present leadership of the POC is mainly based on non-performance, non-developmental attitude and the country club leadership style of the incumbent.

Just to cite an important role that has not been exercised by the POC is its influence over the National Sports Association.

The POC has not done anything to straighten out the NSA’s–factions here and there, no clear development programs, persons juggling to stay in power–just like the mother council itself.

In fairness to the 12 year Cojuangco era, this state of affairs has been in existence since as far as I can remember.

I had a personal taste of it at the time when Lito Puyat did everything to keep his stranglehold as President of the BAP in the late 1960’s. I-and so many others from Cebu-were pulled out from our classes in Manila and instantly became delegates from Central Visayas. I guess the POC leadership has to be subservient to the NSA’s if it wants to perpetually stay in power.

My main objection against the election of Peping Cojuangco to a 4th term are:
1. He has been in the position for twelve (12) years already and no amount of brilliance would make him do a miracle to Philippine sports.

I have been at the helm of several national and local organizations, and without exception, if you have not done something earth shaking in the first two years, there is no way that a miracle will happen in the succeeding years.

So, when his first four year term expired, Mr. Cojuangco should have gracefully stepped down, if his involvement with the POC was for his love of Philippine sports.

2. The second reservation that I have against another Cojuangco presidency is his age. At 82, I doubt if he still have the stamina to sort out the mess in the NSA’s, much less to come up with an earth-shaking sports program that would make Team Philippines supreme, at least in the ASEAN level.

This is not to demean the seniors like me, but even how young you try to think, the aches in the bones, the body malaise that you feel even after a good night’s sleep and the difficulty of keeping step with the younger guys, just lessens your capabilities, even if the spirit is still willing.

In my heydays, I used to attend meetings upon meetings almost every day. So much so that it was my driver who voiced out to my wife if it is really up to my health and body to do so much in a single day.

Nowadays, my mind, heart and spirit glow when I look at my calendar and see nothing scheduled for the day.

For then, I could look forward to a day of sitting on my lazy boy, reading my daily news slowly, listening to my favourite music, watching my favourite telenovela and a new DVD.

If we are to go back to the golden era of Philippines sports, under the leadership of honest and true sports men—Antonio de las Alas, Ambrosio Padilla and Jorge Vargas, just to name a few—a lot of brilliant moves have to be done, something which is not cut out for the old and the weary.

If Mr. Cojuangco so loves Philippine sports, please step aside so that it can enjoy a new and fresh leadership.

Or at least, submit yourself to an open election, to find out if you still have the trust of the sports leaders of this country.