With the new year a day from breaking out, we welcome 2011 with hopes, wishes and dreams. We pray that our athletes ? no matter the age, gender, sport or level of competition ? are blessed with good health, the discipline to succeed and the determination to win.
Here?s our list of 10 wishes for 2011.
? P-Noy to lead the charge. With President Aquino?s unqualified support, sports will go a long way in making Filipinos proud to be Filipinos. Sports is a galvanizing element in society. People from all walks of life identify with sports because we all need to have heroes to inspire us in our struggle for a meaningful existence. If government makes sports a priority, then the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) could truly be a powerful engine of development. And if President Aquino leads the charge, the private sector will take the cue for sure and do its share.
? PSC, POC to recognize Palarong Pambansa. It?s vital for the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to back up the Department of Education (DepEd) in organizing the annual Palarong Pambansa if only as an avenue to identify future prospects. The support must be comprehensive, not just a token gesture. The Palaro is a serious effort in promoting youth sports, a step up in the ladder from grassroots development. National Sports Associations (NSAs) provide technical expertise in managing the events but too often, the road ends there. Local government units are also involved in the Palaro. There?s no need to reinvent the wheel. The Palaro is a perfect vehicle to unify the sectors that must dance to the same tune in order for sports to progress on a national scale.
? Pacquiao to finally meet and beat Mayweather. The world?s No. 1 pound-for-pound king is slated to battle Sugar Shane Mosley in Las Vegas on May 7. While it?s a handsome payday and a tough fight for Manny Pacquiao, fans are looking beyond Mosley in conjuring visions of the ring icon facing Floyd Mayweather in what has to be the most anticipated bout of the decade. Our wish is for Pacquiao to continue inspiring all of us with his exploits both in the ring and in Congress. After disposing of Mosley, Pacquiao might want to consider one more fight and that could only be against Mayweather before retiring in a blaze of glory. Pacquiao can?t fight forever and must know when it?s time to hang up his gloves.
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? Sports science as a priority. NSAs should embrace the value of sports science as a means to propel athletes to victory. PSC commissioner Chito Loyzaga is resolute in trying to convince NSAs that the key to success lies in sports science. In today?s competitive world, it?s no longer enough to win on raw talent. Athletes must be given the necessary support that will expose them to the benefits of nutrition, sport-specific conditioning exercises and sports psychology. Instead of wasting time in turf wars, sports leaders should get down to brass tacks and learn more about sports science.
? World honors for Filipino athletes. In 2010, the country gained global acclaim with the achievements of Filipino athletes in capturing world titles in boxing, billiards, powerlifting and taekwondo (poomsae). Every success on the world level is a source of pride for all Filipinos. And in 2011, let?s hope there are more victories to celebrate. The World Cup of Bowling is an event where Filipinos, both male and female, have excelled in the past. Perhaps, in 2011, the Philippines will once again top the World Cup. There are continuing world competitions in boxing, billiards, powerlifting and taekwondo (poomsae) but it would be awesome if the country could win more titles in other sports, like wushu, chess and golf. In line for cracks at the world title are fighters Nonito Donaire Jr. (against Fernando Montiel for the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles in Las Vegas on Feb. 19), WBA interim superflyweight champion Drian Francisco, unbeaten flyweight Milan Melindo, WBC No. 3 minimumweight Denver Cuello, WBO No. 1 flyweight Brian Viloria and IBF No. 4 bantamweight A. J. Banal.
? Payback in SEA Games. After a not-so-impressive finish in the recent Guangzhou Asian Games, the Philippines returns to the stage of international competition at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Pelambang, Indonesia, on Nov. 11-25. The Philippines has won the overall trophy only once since 1977 ? it came in 2005 with a haul of 113 gold medals. The Philippines placed second twice in 1983 and 1991 and third in six SEA Games in 1977, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1993 and 1995. Thailand has won the last two SEA Games with the Philippines not even close to taking third place. With the POC and PSC playing beautiful music together, the Philippines might just be able to break back into the top three this year.
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? Ticket to London. The Smart-Gilas national basketball team will attempt to earn a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics via the FIBA-Asia qualifying tournament in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on Sept. 15-25. Only one slot is allocated for Asia in London, meaning it will be just the FIBA-Asia champion to advance. Second place won?t do. It?s a tall order for coach Rajko Toroman but if there?s anyone who can get the job done, it?s the Serbian who did exactly that for Iran in 2007.
? More bite than bark for Azkals. Unless the national football team makes headway in the AFC Challenge Cup starting with a home-and-away series against Mongolia in March, the craze generated by the Azkals in the recent AFF Suzuki Cup could dramatically dissipate. There?s pressure on coach Simon McMenemy to outdo himself but with team manager Dan Palami at the helm, the outlook is bright. Let?s hope the Azkals are unaffected by the political struggle for leadership in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).
? Davis Cup breakthrough in March. The Philippines opens the new Davis Cup season by hosting Japan in the first round of the Asia/Oceania Group I tennis competition in Cebu this March. Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey will be back to defend the country?s honor. It won?t be a cakewalk for the Filipinos who were blanked by Japan in their last three face-offs ? in 2010 in Osaka, 2008 in Manila and 1996 in Yokkaichi City. Mamiit, 34, isn?t getting any younger and another Davis Cup veteran Johnny Arcilla will be 31 in February. But the future belongs to Huey, 25, and Fil-German Marc Sieber, 22. The Davis Cup cast hasn?t been finalized but the speculation is a spot will be reserved for Sieber who walloped Arcilla, 6-2, 6-4, 6-1, in the PCA Open a few weeks ago. It took a heroic effort by the Philippines to come back from a 0-2 deficit to beat Korea in Changwon last September and keep its Davis Cup slot in Group I. The Filipinos hope to ride on the momentum of the inspiring win over Korea to pull the rug from under Japan.
? Banner crowds for the PBA. There will be three conference finals to be played in the PBA in 2010 and gate receipts are expected to shoot up in the league?s 36th season. In the raging Philippine Cup, only four teams are left standing and they?re squaring off in the semifinals ? Ginebra San Miguel vs San Miguel Beer and Talk ?N? Text vs B-Meg. There were crowds of over 20,000 that turned out for crucial games last season. With improved officiating and rules tweaked to allow for more explosive offensive plays, commissioner Chito Salud is on track for a banner season.
Happy New Year to one and all!
