My wishes for Sports 2022
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
FOR the last two years, our planet Earth suffered an agonizing economic slowdown due to the unseen disease called “COVID 19.” Fortunately, our country which is mostly now under Alert Level 2 is slowly and cautiously starting to recover from the economic fallout for the last two months. Today, January 2, the second day of year 2022, is a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving to God for giving us another year and hopefully spare us from another period of turbulence and chaos. “To God be all the glory”
Admittedly, every one of us has his/her own wishes or resolutions this year. For me, indeed, I wish that someday this pandemic will eventually and completely vanish this year so we can now move on with our normal lives, including the holding of sports activities worldwide. Yes, that’s my greatest wish so the originally scheduled 2021 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games slated last year that was temporarily shelved because of COVID-19, will finally push through on the rescheduled dates May 12-23 this year. Yes, it will still be hosted by Vietnam in Hanoi. Then, hopefully the pandemic will not get in the way of the 2022 Asian Games slated on September 10-25 in Hangzhou, China, and will also definitely be conducted. Remember, the Asian Games is the second most prestigious and second largest quadrennial sports competitions all over the world after the Olympic Games. After our historic sixth place finish overall in 1986 Seoul, South Korea, it has been downhill from there for Philippines in the last eight Asian stints. We suffered in our lowest 22nd ranking in 2014 and 19th in 2018.
I also wish that the plan of the International Olympic (IOC) to delist boxing and weightlifting in the 2024 Paris Olympic calendar will not push through, all because of charges of widespread use of dope by many participants. Bear in mind that weightlifting was the only sport that rendered our first and lone gold medal (courtesy of of Hidilyn Diaz in Tokyo 2020) since we started participating in the quadrennial meet in 1924 Paris Games. Boxing which already produced four Olympic medals for us is also in jeopardy. The exclusion of these two sports by IOC in the 2024 Paris Olympics will be a devastating and ugly blow for our country.
I also wish that the rift between Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) top honcho Philip Juico and pole vaulter EJ Obiena will finally be resolved. Remember, like our national gymnast Caloy Yulo, world rated boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, the 6’2” lanky pole vaulter EJ Obiena are rated highly in the world ranking. Yes, I wish and hope that our potential Olympic medalists will be spared from political distractions during this crucial period with intrigues, and personal conflicts with our national sports officials.
My biggest wish in the local side that the tentatively suspended “First Governor’s Cup Tour of Pangasinan” five-day bikefest of the hardworking and sports-minded father of the province, Amado I. Espino, lll will finally be conducted before Easter.
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Kudos to the people who run the Pangasinan Sports Development and Management Council (PSDMC) under the leadership of Gov. Amado I. Espino III, and under the auspices of PSDMC acting executive officer Marlon Domalanta, for being selected as the best entry to the Gintong Gawad: A Tribute to Grassroots Women In Sports under the category of Kaagapay ng Isport sa Kumunidad. The award was handed by Celia H. Kiram of the Philippine Sports Commission Oversight Commissioner for Women in Sport.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I girded you, though you have not known Me. Isaiah 45:5
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