Politics, whether in office, government and even in sports, is not always good. In fact, mostly it is bad. Especially when it is used to undermine others, their efforts and their views when they are not in sync with the powers that be. For sports, politics is the deal killer. We have seen so many good athletes getting the raw end of the deal just because they are not the favorites or worse, they are not members of the “kamag-anak inc.” or hindi sila inaanak ng mga nakaupong opisyal. While this is not a general description of Philippine sports, it has been a practice that several families have been “leading” or in the forefront of “advancing” sports and athletes in the past few years. Again this is not a sweeping statement because some sporting leaders, helped by their kin and friends, are actually doing well. But just some of them.
Lately, athletes are not just the ones getting sidetracked because of “politics,” which in this case, literally and figuratively.
The Designated Kit Man heard the disappointing news that a friend has been unceremoniously sacked from his post from a national sports association. He was axed without any deliberation, discussion or even a consultation with the membership of the NSA. I just don’t know if this is the usual way of removing officials in certain sports associations but even in a few group chats that I’m a member of, there is at least a discussion and agreement by the majority if the group wanted to remove someone from the GC.
In my friend’s case, he just received an email from the president of his NSA despite his hard work and contributions to make the sport popular and accessible to Filipinos.
While the email itself was controversial, there is something most unusual about it. It was anti-dated. I don’t know the reasons why but surely it was very questionable, whether for its intent and purpose.
When asked what could have been the reason why he was yanked out from the association, my friend could only think of one thing. He is running for a post in the forthcoming elections of sports officials whose organization values “excellence, respect and friendship”. He is not, however, running with those in power.
What is more disheartening is the fact that my friend regarded the sports official more than a colleague, he treated him as a father, a mentor and a friend these past few years.
The friend also confided that he even talked to his “Ninong” about his plans to run and even sought his support for his intention to run. It was really a complete surprise to him that he received the email. His replacement was an even bigger (but not unexpected) surprise. He was a member of the Kamag-anak, Inc.
Apparently, if backstabbing is an Olympic sport, we have a sure podium finish in this category.
This is just one of the reasons why Philippine sports, in general, and not just the concerned NSA, should be given a new lease of life. We need new leaders who will bring new ideas and the political will to implement them at the bare minimum. Not to include their relatives and friends in their business will be great too.
In another disheartening news, people involved in a running yet another league, have expressed concerns over the delay in their wages and compensation over services rendered in running the day-to-day affairs of the organization. The Designated Kit Man is hoping that this issue will be resolved soon and those running the league will reach out to those affected ASAP. I was told that they are giving those managing the league until today to sort things out or else they will make public their concerns.
On a better note, football fans are invited to attend and grace the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup Trophy Tour in Manila with the main event to happen, 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, November 9 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati. Local football legends and icons such as Misagh Bahadoran, Aly Borromeo, Patrick Deyto and Simone Rota will be present. Philippine Men’s National Football Team head coach Albert Capellas is also expected to grace the event.
But before the Glorietta event, a football clinic will be conducted at Tuloy sa Don Bosco Alabang from 10am until 12nn. The Okada Method will be shared to players and coaches in the two-hour clinic.
The Philippines, buoyed by its impressive 3-0 win against Tajikistan in the recent King’s Cup in Thailand, will begin its campaign in the biggest football event in the region on December 12, a home game against Myanmar. The team, formerly known as the Azkals will then travel to the New Laos National Stadium on December 15 to face the Lan Xang. The Philippines, which is Group 2, will face Vietnam at home on December 18 and Indonesia in Jakarta International Stadium on December 21.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
