Politics killing sports

It’s not just in the Philippines where the ugly specter of politics is killing the development of sports. All over the world, the integrity of sports is severely challenged by those who impose their personal agendas over the interest of athletes for political power, business considerations and the enjoyment of perks.

One of the country’s most-admired athletes and a Southeast Asian Games multi-medalist recently said all she ever wanted to do was to play and compete.  When the situation in her NSA became too political for comfort, she packed up and quit. Hers isn’t an isolated case. There are several more talented athletes who’ve surrendered the fight because of the politics that hinder the advancement of their sport.

“Some officials make sports their livelihood,” a disgruntled athlete said. “They stay in their positions for decades, some well into their 80s, refusing to let go. Anyone who tries to change the system are set back because the politics is so deep-seeded and ingrained that it’s impossible to reform. They don’t really care for the athletes, they just make use of the athletes for their own benefit. They enjoy the perks of travel and free accommodations. They lord it over the athletes who are subservient to them. It’s like they’re entitled to be in authority, like feudal lords. They play favorites and marginalize athletes who don’t toe the line. The cancer is evident in a lot of NSAs.”

The other day, POC president Ricky Vargas came out in the open to decry the politics right in his own Executive Board. Coming from a corporate background with an expertise in professional management, the sports snakepit is unfamiliar territory for Vargas. The backstabbing, intrigue and horsetrading are making life miserable for Vargas in the POC hotseat and he’s not sure of running for a second term when the next elections come around after the Tokyo Olympics. He’s committed to serve out his existing term because that’s what he ran for and promised his supporters. But Vargas never bargained for this kind of backroom mudslinging.

In particular, Vargas said he’s unhappy with the way issues aren’t being resolved at the NSA level and the delay in instituting reforms in the POC Constitution and By-Laws. Is the foot-dragging deliberate to protect the interests of a few? Vargas wouldn’t care to speculate. What he sees is what’s on the table and he doesn’t like the menu.

Vargas is championing the cause of good governance and trying to instill transparency in the management of NSAs. His leadership style has been recognized by the IOC and the POC is now back in good standing as far as financial accountability is concerned. For years, the POC’s status was under question because of long-standing unliquidated amounts stemming from Olympic Solidarity and other IOC-related assistance. Vargas made it a priority to clean up the books and re-start with a clean slate.

A recent external auditor’s report on the POC’s financials before his term was an eye-popping revelation but instead of finger-pointing and bringing up dirt, Vargas is focused on cleaning house. He’s not delving into the past. If ever, it’s to make sure bad things aren’t repeated. The past should be a lesson for the future.

 While seeking a second mandate is iffy, Vargas isn’t giving up at least until his term expires. He’s been passionate about sports all his life and he owes it to the memory of his grandfather, the late Jorge Vargas, the first Filipino IOC member and president of the POC’s precursor Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF) from 1936 to 1955, to fight for the interest of Filipino athletes.

If there’s a problem in straightening out preparations for the coming Southeast Asian Games, it’s rooted in politics. Vargas himself has tried to get things sorted out by pulling the main players together on the same page. It would be a pity if the old-school politicians regain control of the POC once Vargas steps down. That would obliterate whatever gains Vargas will have instituted during his term.