Some members of Southeast Asian Games Federation council raised serious concerns over security following the massive brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia during the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier early this month.
Former Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco said those in the international sports community have been asking the Olympic council’s position about the melee with concerns about their athletes’ security when the Philippines rolls the carpet out for them next year.
He said the POC, headed by boxing chief Ricky Vargas, should come up with a statement to ease fear raised by other sports leaders, who will be in attendance when the country hosts the 30th Southeast Asian Games starting November 30, 2019.
Despite losing the POC presidency in a court-ordered election last February, Cojuangco still maintains a massive clout in the SEA Games Federation council as its honorary lifetime president. He claimed he was consulted by federation members on the issue.
He met with the region’s sports leaders last May and sent them off via a party in his Makati residence after he was excluded from receiving a courtesy invitation by the POC, being its immediate past president, to attend the SEA Games Federation Council in Taguig.
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“We maintain a very good reputation in the international sports community. It’s just sad that it was shattered because of that basketball brawl,” Cojuangco told the Tribune in an exclusive interview.
“A lot of those people in the international (sports community) were asking me about the POC’s stand on this issue, especially with the SEA Games to be held here next year. The POC has to issue a statement and clarify its position,” Cojuangco said.
Vargas has yet to come up with a statement regarding the melee.
Vargas holds an executive position in a company controlled by industrialist Manny Pangilinan, chairman emeritus of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
The only statement the POC delivered about the brawl was from secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, who admitted the brawl would have a drastic effect on the country’s participation in the 18th Asian Games.
“To be honest, one reason why we have to process this together is because of the Asian Games,” said Gregorio during a press briefing a day after the melee. “We have to anticipate that FIBA will consider our participation there.”
