Cojuangco: We did well in 2014

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, who’s enjoying the holidays in the United States, can look back at 2014 with a smile.

Cojuangco witnessed some of the great moments for Philippine sports in the year that just ended and was also there when Filipino athletes took heartbreaking losses in other fronts.

But overall, he said it was a pretty good year.

“I thought we did finish very well this 2014,” said Cojuangco, entering his 11th year as president of the POC. He took the job in 2004 and has been re-elected twice.

Cojuangco was on top of the situation as Filipino athletes competed in various tournaments overseas.

Last August, he watched Luis Gabriel Moreno shoot his arrows straight in winning the gold medal in the mixed team archery event of the second Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

It was the first gold medal for the country in the Youth Olympics, a breeding ground for future winners in the Summer Olympics.

Cojuangco considers Moreno’s victory as one of the proudest moments for Philippine sports.

“This is the Olympics,” he said.

Cojuangco stayed home and watched Gilas Pilipinas make heads turn in the FIBA World Championship in Seville, Spain.

He said the Gilas players gave their best but didn’t get the breaks during crucial games that were decided in the closing minutes.

“You cannot ask for more from the team,” he said.

Then in September, Cojuangco made the rounds in Incheon, South Korea as the Filipino athletes vied in the Asian Games.

Filipino-American Daniel Caluag won the gold in the BMX competition. The Philippines won three silvers, two in wushu and one in boxing, and also brought home 11 bronze medals.

The officiating, according to the POC president, was a little tough on the Pinoy athletes in Incheon, especially those in combat sports, and the country was denied a better finish.

Caluag’s victory saved the day for the Philippine campaign in Incheon and somehow eased the pain of the bitter loss suffered by the men’s basketball team.

In November, the Philippines struck back, winning three gold medals in the fourth Asian Beach Games in Phuket, Thailand.

Ju-jitsu fighters Maybeline Masuda and Annie Ramirez, and windsurfer Geylord Coveta delivered the gold medals that came with two silver and seven bronzes.

“In the latter part our athletes won our first gold medals in the Asian Beach Games. We had a very good showing there,” said Cojuangco.

“We finished 2014 in a successful way and we hope this will continue and even become better in the coming year,” he added.

As the New Year sets in, Cojuangco is hoping that the national government could give sports the needed push.

Cojuangco said it’s difficult to get the desired results when there is not enough money for sports, as compared to what the neighboring countries get.

“In general, I hope the government would give sports what it deserves. And I also hope that the private sector continues to do its share,” said Cojuangco.

He cited PLDT/Smart big boss Manny V. Pangilinan as the biggest donor in sports, and wished that others would follow his steps.

“It’s easy to see that with the right support and the right direction we can go a long way. Let us help our athletes,” Cojuangco said.

“If we can do this the right way automatically our performance will be upgraded to the level the Philippines will be proud of,” he said.

Lastly, Cojuangco sent out his greetings.

“I’m wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year,” he said.