August 16 - 31 , 2018 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY SPORTS 29
Include sports facilities in government ’ s build … build …. build program -- Romero
It ’ s been 64 years ago since the Philippines a big sporting event in the magnitude of the Asian Games , which were held in Manila in 1954 but never to return again .
But if Congressman Mikee Romero , who represents 1-Pacman Party list in the Lower House will have his way , sports-loving Filipinos can again be given a chance to watch their countrymen strut wares with the best and finest from other countries .
Cong . Romero even went the extent of hosting the biggest sports conclave in the world – the Olympic Games -- if only the once adequate infrastructure , including a modern international airport , are built under the government ’ s current build … build … build program .
Romero , a strong advocate of youth and sports development program in congress , said it is high time for the administration to look at international sports events as a vehicle to attract to the country as a source , too , economic growth .
“ Many studies show the positive correlation of sports tourism through the hosting of sporting
Filipino boxing great and now Senator Manny Pacquiao joined the family of the late U . S . Senator John McClain and the American people in mourning the death of the Arizona lawmaker .
Sen . McCain , a noted politiciansportsman , former presidential candidate and former naval aviator , passed away on Saturday of brain cancer . He was 81 .
“ Sen . McCain is a strong supporter of sports , particularly boxing . His death is a big loss , not only to boxing , but sports as a whole ,” the eight-division champion and current WBA belt-owner said in paying tribute to his fallen fellow lawmaker .
“ I join his family , the American people and the entire sports community , particularly the boxing world , in mourning his death ,” Pacquiao told this writer in a longdistance call .
Sen , McCain , who fought as an amateur while at the U . S Naval Academy , is remembered as one of the many who raised a loud howl after Pacquiao ’ s controversial split decision
events like the Olympics , and World Cup in several sports with the boost in tourism revenues as well as economic activities for the hosting country ,” Romero said .
To boost the country ’ s stature as a sports host , Romero pointed out that better ancillary infrastructure is needed .
He cited the country ’ s lack of infrastructure as one of the reasons why the Philippines failed to win its bid to host 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup against eventual winner China .
“ While we are trumpeting our people ’ s passion for basketball , it was China which won the right because of its government ’ s support and the existence of adequate infrastructure as well as transportation facilities like roads , playing venues and even its airport , he stressed
“ That ’ s besides China ’ s the sterling record of hosting international competitions like the Asian Games and even the Olympics , “ Romero recalled .
“ So if we re really looking forward to hosting the Asian Games again after 64 years or even the
Olympics , then we should really take a look at our tourism as well as transport infrastructure like a new international gateway ,” he suggested .
Romero pointed out that while the Philippines has already started building modern sports infrastructure in preparation for the country ’ s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games net year , this is also the opportune time to start building an airport in preparation for bigger sports competitions .
Romero added that in the mold of modern airports like those in Singapore ( Changi ) and Incheon ( South Korea ), San Miguel ’ s proposed Bulacan or the New Manila International Airport appears to be the most suited for the country ’ s growing needs as both can accommodate more tourists , and spur development both locally and at a national level .
The Party list lawmaker said that as compared to the limited runway facilities of the NAIA , the proposed Bulacan airport will have four runways with the provision for two more in the future . It also has a modern terminal and transportation infrastructure like
Pacquiao mourns Sen . McCain ’ s death
loss to then undefeated Timothy Bradley in the first of the two fighters ’ trilogy on June 9 , 2012 .
Two of the judges who worked the welterweight fight submitted identical 115-113 for Bradley , while the other scored it 115-113 for Pacquiao , that caused the Filipino to lose his 147-pound WBO crown .
So enraged was the public ’ s outcry that Bradley ’ s disputed win became one of the most controversial decisions in the history of boxing , forcing WBO president Francisco “ Paco ” Valcarcel to create an independent five-man panel of judges to review the decision .
The results of the review of the judges , who , who were all accomplished with world title experience saw Pacquiao the winner by a unanimous 118-110 , 117-111 , 117-11 , 116-112 and 115-113 .
The controversy even reached the hall of the U . S . Senate with McCain and Nevada counterpart Majority Leader Harry Reid , a former middleweight fighter himself , filing a bill calling for the establishment of a U . S . Boxing Commission to oversee all matches in the United States and restore integrity to the sport of sweet science .
Under the proposed legislation , all referees and judges participating in a championship or a professional fight lasting 10 rounds or more would have to be fully registered and licensed by the commission . A sanctioning organization could provide the names of judges and referees it considers qualified for that caliber bout , but only the commission could appoint judges and referees to participate in the matches .
Speaking on the Senate floor , McCain evoked the words of former sportswriter Jimmy Cannon , who called boxing the “ red light of
By : Julian Ray Fortaleza
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Answers from last week ’ s issue :
1 . Manchester United ’ s manager is Jose Mourinho
2 . The Canucks currently have no captain 3 . Jon Jones was the youngest UFC champion ever
New Questions :
1 . Who is the manager for Real Madrid ?
2 . Who is the captain of the New York Rangers ? 3 . Who was the oldest UFC champion of all time ?
roads , train system and even a ferry route .
“ If we start building it now and complete it in five years , this airport will improve our ability to handle a large number of passengers as well as more international flights . Along with the improvements in our sports facilities , we can hope to vie for hosting rights of international competitions and showcase our tourism attractions ,” he reasoned out .
“ Our neighbors have showed us how sports figures in nation building and development . Indonesia is now hosting the Asian Games while Thailand hosted the Asiad for four times already in 1966 , 1970 , 1978 , 1998 . Without even citing official figures , we can see that they are far ahead in tourism compared to us ,” Romero added .
Romero said that once the new NAIA airport is completed , the site of the present NAIA in Pasay City , can be an ideal place for a modern sports complex along with commercial and residential development .
sports .”
McCain , who also authored the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 1998 , said the recent dispute stemming from the welterweight bout between Bradley and Pacquiao “ is the latest example of the legitimate distrust boxing fans have for the integrity of the sport .”
* Photo by Wendell Alinea / MP Promotions