Cojuangco wants the Phils to host the next Asian Games
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 11 Aug 2014
Sixty years ago this year, the Philippines hosted for the first and only time the second edition of the Asian Games with the then newly-completed Rizal Memorial Stadium as main hub.
If Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco will have his way, the biggest, in terms of participation, and the second oldest gathering of athletes outside of the Olympic Games, will come these shores anew four years from now with the just-built Philippine Arena in Bulacan as site of hostilities.
Cojuangco, a former congressman from Tarlac who is in his 10th year at the helm of the country?s highest governing body for amateur sports, revealed in Wednesday?s program ?Tropang BisTag,? that he will be submitting the POC bid for the country to host the 18th edition of the Games in lieu of Vietnam.
Vietnam had earlier won the right but begged off and Cojuangco said that should the Olympic Council of Asia has not yet decided which country takes over. The Philippines will offer to save the quadrennial Games and give this generation of Filipinos the opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement brought about by the competition their forefathers enjoyed in 1954.
But first, I will have to clear it with the OCA president (Ahmad Fahad Al Sabah) if bidding is still open,? Cojuangco told his interviewers during the daily sports forum aired over DZEC Radio. ?If the 2018 hosting has not yet been awarded to any country, then the Philippines will try to offer our bid.?
?Actually I had already hinted to the Sheik our intention to stage the Games here during last year?s aborted Asian Games Centennial Celebration, although I only mentioned that in passing. The Sheik said there?s no problem as far he is concerned,? the POC top honcho said.
?He even told me to test the waters with OCA members as soon as opportunity arises.?
?At first I was reluctant as I asked myself, should we win, where will the Games be held?? He bared, ?But after the Philippine Arena had been inaugurated only last week, I told myself, this is it, one of our biggest problems had been solved.?I had been furnished with reading materials on the facilities of Philippine Area and I found out that all those already completed are of international standard.?
?All the events under the Asiad calendar can be disputed inside the huge complex, except those in water sports. Pero puede naman nating gawin ang water sports events sa Subic,? he explained.
?I will be joining our Philippine delegation to the Youth Olympic Games Nanjin, China and I thought that would be an ideal opportunity for me to rub elbows with OCA members and introduce them our plan,? he said. ?Kapag positive ang response, then we?ll stat lobbying our offer be granted.?
Cojuangco said though it will be a gigantic task, especially in terms of logistics, adding though that since hosting and event as the Asiad will benefit the country so many ways, ?including that of promoting tourism and showcasing the Filipinos? world-renowned hospitality, it?s worth trying.?
?Mapapagtulong-tulongan na natin yun. Kailangan natin ang tulong ng lahat dito. From the government to the corporate sectors to the men and women on the streets,? he said. ?Just imagine the benefits the Asian Games hosting will generate. That will be tremendous.?
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