Why we love sports

Editorial

If there is one open secret about us here at The Manila Times, it is that we all love sports. We love our sports heroes, and we want the Philippines to again become the number one sports power in the region.

Once upon a time, we were just that—a regional sports power. We did not even try to dominate the Asean Games because it came naturally. No, what we always fought for was to become one of the top performers in the Asian Games. This was because we always knew that the ultimate test would be in the bigger Olympic Games, and we have always been frustrated at our country’s inability to win one solitary gold medal. In any sport.

Conventional wisdom has always told us that the Philippines would eventually win an Olympic gold medal in boxing for obvious reasons: Our pugilists have previously won silver and bronze medals in past Olympiads.

For this reason, we have placed our top boxers on pedestals. Decades ago, it was the late, great Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde whom we considered as one of the greatest prizefighters of all time. And indeed, he was.

Now, it is Manny Pacquiao who is our national idol, our Pambansang Kamao or National Fist. Pacman enters the ring again this week to face his worthiest opponent. And each time the congressman fights, the entire country is at a standstill. No crime is committed and a nation is united, hoping and praying that he score a decisive victory against Juan Manual Marquez.

Elorde and Pacquiao are but two of our sports heroes. There are countless others who may not occupy as high a seat in our pantheon of athletic royalty, but who are still admired by millions of Filipinos, both here and abroad. In the ring, there are also Nonito ‘the Filipino Flash’ Donaire and Brian ‘the Hawaiian Punch’ Viloria, world champions both.

In the last few days, a swashbuckling group of Filipinos and Fil-foreigners again did our country proud in the most popular sport in the world – football. They are called the Azkals and this batch of young men have almost single-handedly revived the fortunes of football in the Philippines by another strong performance in the Suzuki Cup, just as they did two years ago.

Younghusband may not be a very Filipino sounding name, but when a pair of siblings by that surname plays world-class football while wearing a uniform with a Philippine flag, we cheer them as our true ‘kababayans,’ born of a Filipino mother in the UK.

What matters to Juan de la Cruz

It can be said that the life of the typical Filipino centers on a handful of things: His family, his work, politics and sports.

He seeks role models in every aspect of his existence. He may look up to his parents or grandparents as examples worthy of emulation. He may look at any of his superiors as a source of inspiration on how to succeed in the workplace.

And while there may not be too many politicians to elevate to the level of hero, there is no shortage of sportsmen who have done the nation proud.

If the Olympic Games is where the greatest sports heroes are made, it is with deep sadness that we must continue to lower our expectations every four years, just as we did earlier this year.

The truth is, our athletes have never failed us. It is our self-appointed sports leaders who have.

We are therefore beyond saddened to realize that the organization that allegedly trains then sends our athletes to international competitions will not have a change of leadership despite a history of failure for the past several years.

Still in control

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will have elections where the winners are already known. The same leadership that never delivered the goods for the country will remain at the helm, thereby guaranteeing more failure and embarrassment for our athletes whenever they compete.

The Filipino word for this situation is “nakakahiya.”

When Filipino trapos or traditional politicians handle any organization, the results will always be as expected. They will talk up a storm, make promises that can’t be kept, and blame anyone but themselves when they fail.

Look at the leadership of the POC and tell us with a straight face that they are comprised of men and women whose sole concern is for Filipino athletes to win anywhere and everywhere that they compete. Tell us that the POC leadership is committed to excellence in every event where our athletes take part.

Impossible, isn’t it?

Truly, we are a nation of sports lovers. As such, we are frustrated that our country’s sports development is in the hands of politicians whose only ability is to deliver promises, but never results.

Nakakahiya.