Time was when "Project: Gintong Alay" produced top athletes like a leading carmaker rolled out high-quality vehicles from its assembly plant.
Though Gintong Alay was from a different era, its former head believes he can still relive the good old days by upgrading the level of coaching, ramping up the talent search program and also putting premium on grassroots development.
While it may seem a cliche, Michael Keon swears he can get the job done. "I am doing it now in Laoag and I can do it nationally," Keon told a group of scribes Tuesday afternoon in Pasig City. The current mayor of Laoag City, Keon ran the affairs of Gintong Alay in the 1980s when the country experienced its heyday with the late Lydia de Vega leading the way in sprints.
Actually, Keon has already discussed the matter with Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Richard Bachmann and is awaiting if the government agency will be receptive to his ideas.
Keon acknowledges the efforts being undertaken to discover new talent but these are simply not enough.
"There are other Lydia de Vegas out there…other Elma Muros and other Isidro Del Prados," the Australian-schooled Keon said. The practice of fielding Filipino-foreign athletes Keon has nothing against but what bothers him is the fact that these bets "come here and participate and go back (to their countries because they live there." Setting up regional training centers should also be prioritized but Baguio City must be given utmost importance because of its high elevation. "The best venue for training," he added.
Lending support to Keon during the lunch meeting with the scribes were former Gintong Alay coach and 1972 Munich Olympics veteran Anthony Benson of Australia, who was once rated in the top five in the 5000m ratings.
Take it from someone who's been there and done that.