Introduction:
The Philippine Olympic Committee
(POC) is a non-profit organization that serves as the governing body for the
Olympic Movement in the Philippines. Its main objective is to promote and
develop sports in the country and to support Filipino athletes in their quest
for excellence in the international arena. The POC is responsible for selecting
and sending athletes to compete in the Olympic Games and other major international
sporting events and organizing and hosting national and international
competitions in the Philippines. This article overviews the POC's
history, organizational structure, functions, and challenges.
History:
The POC was established in 1911 as
the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF) under the American colonial
government. It was reorganized as the Philippine Amateur Athletic Association
(PAAA) in 1930 and became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
in 1929. The PAAA was renamed the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in 1975 to
reflect its expanded role in the Olympic Movement.
Organizational Structure:
The POC comprises a General
Assembly, an Executive Board, and several standing committees. The General
Assembly is the POC's highest governing body and comprises representatives from national sports associations (NSAs), athletes'
commissions, and other stakeholders. The Executive Board is responsible for
implementing the decisions of the General Assembly and managing the day-to-day
operations of the POC. The standing committees are responsible for specific
areas of operation, such as finance, marketing, athletes' welfare, and
technical matters.
Functions:
The POC's primary functions are to promote
and develop sports in the country and to support Filipino athletes in their
pursuit of excellence in the international arena. It selects and sends athletes
to compete in the Olympic Games and other major international sporting events,
such as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. It also
organizes and hosts national and international competitions in the Philippines,
such as the Palarong Pambansa, Philippine National Games, and the Philippine
Olympic Festival.
Challenges:
The POC faces several challenges in
fulfilling its mandate. One of the significant challenges is the need for more financial
resources to support its programs and activities. The POC relies heavily on
government funding, sponsorships, and donations from private individuals and
corporations. Another challenge is the need for more unity and cooperation among
NSAs, often resulting in conflicts and disputes over funding,
representation, and other issues. The POC has also faced criticisms and
controversies over its governance and transparency, particularly in selecting and appointing officials and managing funds.
Conclusion
The Philippine Olympic Committee
plays a crucial role in promoting and developing sports in the country and
supporting Filipino athletes in their pursuit of excellence in the
international arena. Despite facing several challenges, the POC strives to achieve its objectives and fulfill its mandate as the
governing body of the Olympic Movement in the Philippines.