ALA Boxing Gym in Cebu, Philippines (Photo by: ALA Gym)
Is it just me or are Filipinos in dire need of a reality check in terms of our obsession with the sport of basketball? Don't get me wrong, I love my hoops as well and still play at least 3 times a week in my local gym, but the topic of my concern is our disproportionate funding of sports programs back in the Philippines.
Most of the money, sponsorships and hype are funneled into basketball when in fact, the country has yet to even win a berth in the Olympic basketball since Bill Russell was a toddler. Do you realize how old Bill Russell is? That's a long time ago.
Take for example the unfortunate case of Philippine boxing. I say unfortunate because as much success Manny Pacquiao has achieved for the country as a professional pugilist, he is by far an anomaly. Name a significant pure Filipino from the Philippines that had been dominant at the global stage aside from Manny? The closest that come to mind is Donnie Nietes and even at that you can say I'm being generous.
Funding for Philippine boxing has long been inadequate. Just take a look at the number of gold medals we've won in the Olympics for boxing- a big goose egg. Even today, promising fighters like Charlie Suarez have to rely on international sponsorships to keep his Olympic gold hopes afloat while basketball enjoys a huge bulk of the funding yet our chances in even competing in the actual Olympics by far dwarfs the chances of Bobby Pacquiao being "the next Pacquaio"- unless you meant biologically.
There are several options out there other than basketball where our natural abilities and physical characteristics are more suited for like other fight sports such as tae kwon do, gymnastics and bowling where we boast some of the best players ever like Paeng Nepomuceno, and even activities wherein we've proven we could excel such as dancing.
Jabbawockeez
Just look at the Filipinos making waves in the international entertainment industry such as the Jabbawockeez dance group that won the first ever America's Best Dance Crew show as well as recent winners like We Are Heroes and Pereotix who all boast Filipino-blooded members and will be featured at the Kababayan Fest in July 10 at California's Great America and July 17 at the Knott's Berry Farm. Filipinos may be small heightwise but we are quick, athletic and flexible- characteristics needed for one to be a good dancer. And in the dance circles, Filipinos got respect. Not saying we don't get respect for our passion for basketball and our skills and knowledge of the game, hey, if there were a 5'9 and under category in Olympic basketball then we might win gold every single time. Unfortunately there isn't. Take that for what it's worth.
There's nothing wrong with the love affair Filipinos have for basketball. Even Pacquaio couldn't stop playing it regardless if he is the middle of his training risking millions of dollars in the event of an injury, but I say it's also time for us to smarten up. It's time for the powers that be to promote other sports and pastimes and give it the support it needs for it to completely capture the public's attention. We haven't necessarily been kind to the sports that have been kind to us. Up to when are we going to rely on generous sponsors like the Puyats in billiards and foreign sponsors with our boxing programs? It's time to wake up folks!
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by: Art Garcia
(click photo for more of 'Art's works')
Dennis "D Source" Guillermo is a freelance sportswriter. You can contact him through e-mail at dennisguillermo2@yahoo.com.
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Comments
This is also my point, Why send a 15 man Basketball team to the Asian games when you can sponsor 20 boxers with good diet an excellent trainer and have them compete for a spot at the Olympics. If you can send more boxers in the Olympics, we will be close to the goal. I mean it will be very easy. Filipino boxers are phenomenal, we grow Donnie Nietes, and Concepcion's like mushrooms in the rainy season but nobody has picked them and gives time to send them. Hell, we send Swimmers to the Olympics with the goal of just beating the Philippine Record! What the hell was that all about? Atleast in boxing, somebody could feel like its his birthday and knock everybody out. In short, if we send powerful punchers or good boxers, we have a punchers CHANCE and have a very good chance at Olympic gold.
Penalosa or Gorres could have won gold medals in the Olympics if they were discovered before they turned pro.
Too true...
try miniature golf
Pinoy politicians who have pork barrel to spare should sponsor
a boxer who has a potential to be a world class in that way gold in the olympics is not a dream but forthcoming in the shortest time.
include the football, i think we will be great and competitive in that sport too.
PINOYS ARE MADLY IN LOVE WITH BASKETBALL BUT BASKETBALL IS NOT IN LOVE WITH THEM!!! IN SHORT WHY DON'T THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN-CHARGE OF SPORTS GET INTO TRAINING POTENTIAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS?? FOOTBALL DOESN'T NEED '6 TALL PLAYERS LIKE BASKETBALL WHICH IS ALWAYS ON THE LOSING SIDE WHENEVER THEY GO INTO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION!! WAKE UP YOU BASKETBALL LOSERS!! YOU ARE WASTING THE PEOPLES MONEY IN SENDING A BUNCH OF LOSING BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS!! WAKE UP!!!!
totally agree that if some money was put into boxing in the phillipines they would be an absolute powerhouse,, hope the government starts funding a good young youth program all around the country,, but good luck with the government funding that, but filopinos and filipinas best of luck i think even without funding you people will be producing champions after champions,
totally agree that if some money was put into boxing in the phillipines they would be an absolute powerhouse,, hope the government starts funding a good young youth program all around the country,, but good luck with the government funding that, but filopinos and filipinas best of luck i think even without funding you people will be producing champions after champions,
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