The world of Philippine Sports is rather complicated. It can’t escape from the circus called ‘politics.’ Many Filipino athletes are natural citizens, but those who rank as phenomenal change their nationalities. Every time we see a rising potential, we don’t know whether they’ll stay or not, just like the others.
Wesley So disgusted with Philippine Politics
Around 2013, one of the youngest athletes ever to be the Chess Grandmaster, Wesley So, transferred from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) to the United States Chess Federation (USCF). The World’s no. 8 states his reasons for changing federations were mainly found in politics (READ: We are so like Wesley So | ABS-CBN News). He also added that although he loves the country, he did not have the ‘connections’ that are needed to succeed. On the 26th of February 2021, the reigning US Chess Champion is officially living in the greener pastures of America as an official U.S. citizen.
Hidilyn Diaz and the ‘Matrix’
Even the first Filipina Olympic Gold Medalist, Hidilyn Diaz, couldn’t escape the political circus in our country. She was accused by the Malacañang as a part of a conspiracy to discredit President Rodrigo Duterte (READ: Hidilyn Diaz, Gretchen Ho tagged in Palace 'matrix', deny knowledge of video sharer | ABS-CBN News). The said statement of the palace puts the weightlifter in fear of her and her family’s safety. She even stated that she had no time to join those conspiracies as she’s too busy preparing for SEA Games 2019 and the Tokyo Olympics 2020. She also asked for financial help for her Olympic bid that time as she’s ‘hirap na hirap’ but the PSC refuted the claim and stated that they are ‘Very Supportive’ of her Olympic campaign.
Yuka Saso waving the Japanese Flag
The move of the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open champion and the world no. 8, Yuka Saso, from the Philippines to Japan (READ: Yuka Saso to no longer carry PH flag in LPGA (tiebreakertimes.com.ph)) is a disheartening one for Filipinos. National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) secretary-general Bones Floro already knew it was coming. The main reason Saso represents the Japan flag as indicated by Floro is on the business side. She could get bigger sponsorship in Japan compared to the basketball-crazed country Philippines. One of the reasons also is the power of a Japanese passport where she didn’t need to apply for a visa to travel for her tournaments (READ: Yuka Saso makes bitter ‘business decision’ to change citizenship | Inquirer Sports).
Ernest John Obiena and PATAFA’s Rift
The never-ending conflict between the National Pole-vaulter, EJ Obiena, and Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association President Phillip Juico (READ: TIMELINE: Falling out with PATAFA mars EJ Obiena rise (rappler.com)). The feud started when PATAFA disclosed to the public and ordered Obiena to return about P4.9 million to them, indicating that the pole-vaulter falsified the documents of his coach Vitaly Petrov’s salary. Obiena and his coach refuted PATAFA’s claims and will sue them for defamation. PATAFA even stoop at its lowest that they didn’t include EJ Obiena to the National Team for the upcoming SEA Games on May 12, 2022. EJ delays his season debut as the issue mentally affects him (READ: EJ Obiena pushes back season debut, withdraws from Germany tilt (rappler.com)).
Chot Reyes’ sowing what Tab Baldwin reaps
After a successful year for the Gilas and Tab Baldwin last year, Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas announced that Chot Reyes will be once again the Head Coach of the National Team leaving Tab Baldwin to go back focusing the Eagles as their head coach (READ: Chot Reyes back as Gilas coach after Tab Baldwin steps down (spin.ph)). We can’t hide the fact that the Gilas overachieved last year when they beat the Asian powerhouse and rival, South Korea, not once but twice and topple Indonesia and Thailand as they end 2022 FIBA Asia Cup qualification with six (6) wins and no (0) lose. So the ‘resignation’ of Tab Baldwin as the National Team Head Coach seems suspicious and the Filipino fans like the system of Coach Tab. Vincent Reyes, also known as Coach Chot is somewhat a close friend to the first Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) President and Business Tycoon, Manny V. Pangilinan or also known as MVP, and the current SBP President Al Panlilio who also a businessman. Chot Reyes was employed between 2016 to 2019 by the television network owned by MVP, TV5 as President and CEO (READ: (38) Chot (Vincent) Reyes | LinkedIn)
PUBLIC REACTION
The public expressed dismay to the Philippine Government and their respective sports association but Filipinos voiced out their support for Wesley So, and Yuka Saso as they can escape the circus happening in the country and can focus only on improving their game.
The public doesn’t mind and even encourage EJ Obiena and other national athletes like Carlos Yulo to change representations as they want them to excel in their careers and get away from politics, supporting the slow and steady system created by Tab Baldwin to develop the country’s national basketball team and disproves of getting PBA players who only train for 3 weeks to compete in international competition.
CONCLUSION
The politics in Philippine Sports is getting out of hand. It is like an intentional low blow to the athletes who are campaigning for our country. The government lacks support that is sufficient for the athletes to stay in their home country. There is even a lack of coverage to the sports our country was excelling like Chess, Golf, Athletics among others. The MVP Group supports almost all of our athletes but one sponsor can’t even help the likes of Yuka Saso to stay in our country. What the Philippines need right now is to focus more on the sports we excel in and find and develop the prospects. We also need to protect our athletes from bureaucrats who are abusing their powers to control our national athletes.
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Written by: Marcus Lex Cajusay
Layout and Design by: Charles Ian Ramos
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