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| Reuters |
Philipines' weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz led her country's team into the opening parade of the London 2012 Olympics on Friday.
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| redcarpettips.com |
The team's national uniform were designed by renowned fashion designer Rajo Laurel.
OPINION:
Only 11 Filipino Athletes: Lack of Support to Blame?
Compared to Australia who sent a team of 410 athletes to the London 2012 Olympics, the Philippines - where people are still mired in hunger, poverty and corruption - sent 25 delegates and only 11 of them are athletes (the smallest number in the history of the nation's participation in the Olympics since 1932), including weightlifter, Hidilyn Diaz, who led Team Philippines’ into the opening ceremony on Friday.The 10 other Filipino athletes include:
Mark Javier and Rachelle Cabral (Archers), Mark Barriga (Boxer-Light flyweight), Danny Caluag (BMX rider), Marestella Torres (Long Jumper), Rene Herrera (Long Distance Bet 5000-Meter Run), Brian Rosario (Shooter), Jasmine Alkhaldi (Swimmer-100-Meter Freestyle) and Jessie Khing Lacuna (Swimmer-100-Meter Freestyle), and Tomohiko Hoshina (Judoka-Super Heavyweight).
Many wonder why the number of Filipino athletes we are sending to the Olympic Games each time is decreasing. Lack of support could be one thing, but certainly, poverty and corruption has a lot to do with it. If the government can’t give jobs to people, how can they even fund the various components of sports activities, athletic facilities, skills training and mentoring?
The government is building more and more high-end condominiums instead of building sporting facilities - parks, ovals, pools, fields, and tracks - or spending on national sporting organizations. And instead of sending athletes abroad to sharpen their skills, the government is sending more and more maids to work abroad. What’s even more ridiculous is that these women wanting to work overseas as maids have to go through some sort of government mandated course in domestic duties. Floor Sweeping 101 – seriously?
C’mon people, have some sort of sports vision for the nation. More support for the community across the sports sector is what we need. We should aspire for our beloved nation to achieve. Philippines can do so much better than this.
TEAM PHILIPPINES' Games Schedule
indopinoy.blogspot.com -
July 27 – Rachel Cabral and Mark Javier (Archery – Qualifying Rounds)
July 30 and 31, August 1 and August 3 – if they will advance
July 29 – Jessie Khing Lacuna (Swimming – Qualifying Heats)
July 30 – Brian Rosario (Shooting – Qualifying Rounds)
July 31 – if he will advance
July 30 – Hidilyn Diaz (Weightlifting)
July 31 – Mark Barriga (Boxing – First Round)
August 1 – Jasmine Alkhaldi (Swimming – Qualifying Heats)
August 3 – Tomohiko Hoshina (Judo)
August 7 – Marestella Torres (Long Jump)
August 8 – Rene Herrera (5,000m Race)
August 8 – Dennis Caluag (Cycling)
Posted by PEx on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 1:38 PM
11 Pinoy Olympians Vie for Honours
