Christmas wishes

It’s the time of year, when we get sentimental both about what has been and what could be. And even if adults don’t believe in Santa Claus, we do believe in a higher power, a being we can offer our Christmas wishes to. And sadly, every year, despite the richness of Philippine sports’ accomplishments, we are all acutely aware of how much more we could have achieved, if we weren’t holding ourselves back. Here’s to raising a glass for urgent action ahead of 2018.

A plan for the SEA Games. From what The STAR has gathered, it was only last week that any significant meetings regarding the 2019 Southeast Asian Games hosting had taken place. With roughly 18 months to go (assuming the games will be held before rainy season), so much still has to be determined. When and where will each event be held? Will Mindanao still be an option for staging some sports? Where will all the needed manpower come from? So many unanswered questions, to be sure. So many positions of responsibility to be filled. So many political figures wanting to be in on the action, or to at least take credit. And the biggest question of all: are we in over our heads? The Filipino has the unique ability to come in under the wire at the last minute, it’s true. But does it have to be so stressful?

Full transparency for all NSAs. The current dispensation of the Philippine Sports Commission has done a tremendous job in writing the wrongs of past administrations. The board has exerted its legal authority and supervisory and oversight functions, but still, some national sports associations obstinately refuse to comply with the government requirements for liquidation. What does this mean for us, as taxpayers? What it means is that, every time the athletes of those uncooperative associations compete overseas, the association cannot receive funds. Therefore, at additional cost to the Filipino people, the PSC has to deploy a disbursing officer to wherever in the world that competition is, to give the athletes their money directly. Just as an example, an airline ticket to Europe at this time of the year costs as much as US$ 3,000 or over P 150,000. When you include hotels, food, land transfers and allowances, you’d be spending roughly double that amount. All because some old-school gatekeeper official is too arrogant to do proper accounting.

A Department of Sports. This will likely not happen in 2018, but it costs nothing to wish. Both houses of congress are moving faster than ever to polish their versions of a Department of Sports Law. As mentioned in a previous column, the Lower House has even guaranteed its passing before the 2019 elections. But a lot of groundwork still has to be done. The current national budget makes no go for it, and the Department of Budget and Management will be a tough nut to crack. Realistically, will it even be a priority, considering the immense funding needed for free college education in all state schools and the rehabilitation of Marawi?

True leadership in each NSA. Truth be told, since Art Macapagal put up a surprisingly strong fight for the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine sports was never the same. A witch-hunt began against those who voted for him, and the continuing fallout has fractured and crippled many sports from dragonboat to swimming and many others. How on earth could a country as smart as ours need people to run more than one NSA each? All we have is a self-perpetuating cycle of benefactors installing minions who will keep voting them back into power. For the love of sports, we all know that this isn’t the way things are supposed to be done, anywhere. Let’s kick politics out of sports.

More honest critique. As an Asian and theoretically conservative society, we avoid confrontation whenever possible. It is refreshing to see sportswriters and beat reporters give their honest - sometimes painful - criticism of sports leaders and organizations. However, it would be more powerful if sports editors or even editorial boards of broadsheets and tabloids themselves stepped out of their comfort zones and dipped their pens into commentary for the general public’s edification. What a powerful tool for change that would be.

More real broadcast sports news. I know this may not even happen in my lifetime, but I’m not really a fan of fluff pieces or the trendiest workout routine being passed off as sports news on an evening newscast. They go into the features section, period. And why is it that none - yes, none - of our nightly newscasts have sports news every day? Is it so hard to find real sports stories to share airtime with all the street crime being legitimized with primetime exposure? What message are we sending people?

A reality check for amateur, pro basketball. It’s hard to put this gingerly, but our basketball authorities have to reflect and decide on what direction they really want to take the sport. For collegiate leagues, are they or are they not going to keep foreign students as athletes? Are they going to have firm and final policies on transferee athletes? The public spectacle of flip-flopping on the rules is embarrassing and smacks of self-interest. What do they really want? And for the PBA, it’s nice to say let’s move on, but that implies resolution, healing and fixing what doesn’t work, none of which has been visible the past weeks. Another look at the mission and vision of the league may provide guidance. All the drama is better, served on the hardcourt, not outside it.

A blessed Christmas to everyone.