Philippine Olympic Committee

Infobox Organization
name = Philippine Olympic Committee


caption = POC logo since 1976
size = 142px
abbreviation = POC
formation = 1911
type = National Olympic Committee
headquarters = PhilSports Complex
location = Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
leader_title = President
leader_name = Jose S. Cojuangco, Jr.
affiliations = IOC, OCA, SEAGF
website = http://www.olympic.ph

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is the National Olympic Committee of the Philippines.

About the POC

The POC is a private, non-governmental organization composed of and serve as the mother organization of all National Sports Associations (NSAs) in the Philippines. It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as having the sole authority for representation of the Philippines in the Olympic Games, the Asian Games, the Southeast Asian Games and other multi-event competitions.

The POC is financially independent and does not receive any subsidy from government, though its member NSAs receive some financial assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission. Instead, the POC supports its own activities with funds generated from sponsorships, licensing fees on the use of the Olympic marks, IOC subsidy and proceeds from special projects and donations.

History of the POC

The first time organized sports was introduced in the Philippines was during the American occupation with the formation of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation by Governor General F.B. Harrison in 1913. This also marked the holding of the first Far Eastern Games played with China and Japan.

When the Philippines joined the International Olympic Committee in 1918, a requisite for its entry was a solitary participation by David Nepomuceno in 1924 Olympic Games who competed in Athletics in Paris, France.

The first Filipino Chairman of the then Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation was President Manuel L. Quezon. He held the position until 1935. The successors of President Quezon were:

*Jorge B. Vargas (1936-1955)
*Antonio de las Alas (1956-1968)
*Felipe Monserrat (1969-1970)
*Ambrosio Padilla (1970-1976)

In 1976, the name Philippine Olympic Committee was adopted in lieu of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation to distinguish it as the National Olympic Committee in the Philippines as recognized and accredited by the International Olympic Committee. Since then, official representation to IOC sponsored competitions were under the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The successors after Padilla were:

*Col. Nereo Andolong (1977-1980)
*Col. Julian Malonso (1980 provisional)
*Michael M. Keon (1981-1984)
*Gov. Jose Sering (1985-1992)
*Ret. Gen. Rene Cruz (1993-1996)
*Cristina Ramos-Jalasco (1997-April 1999)
*Celso Dayrit (May 1999-2004)
*Jose Cojuangco, Jr. (Jan 2005-present)

The first Filipino member of the IOC was Jorge B. Vargas. He held this position until his death in 1980. Succeeding him in 1980 was Mr. Francisco Elizalde who holds this position as IOC member in the Philippines till the present.

National Sports Associations (NSAs)

Regular Members

*National Archery Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association
*Philippine Badminton Association
*Philippine Amateur Baseball Association
*BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas
*Billiards & Snooker Congress of the Philippines
*Philippine Federation of Bodybuilders, Inc.
*Philippine Bowling Congress
*Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation
*National Chess Federation of the Philippines
*Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines
*Philippine Dragon Boat Federation
*Equestrian Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Amateur Fencers Association
*Philippine Football Federation
*National Golf Association of the Philippines
*Gymnastics Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Amateur Judo Association
*Philippine Karatedo Federation
*Philippine Lawn Bowls Association
*Philippine Pencak Silat Association
*Amateur Rowing Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Sailing Association
*Philippine Amateur Sepak Takraw Association
*Philippine National Shooting Association
*Amateur Soft Tennis Association
*Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines
*Squash Rackets Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Amateur Swimming Association
*Table Tennis Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Tennis Association
*Philippine Taekwondo Association
*Triathlon Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Volleyball Federation
*Philippine Weightlifting Association
*Wrestling Association of the Philippines
*Wushu Federation of the Philippines
*Philippine Junior Bowlers

Associate Members

*Arnis Philippines
*Philippine Duckpin Bowling Council
*Dancesport Council of the Philippines
*Ice Skating Union of the Philippines
*Powerlifting Association of the Philippines

pecial Recognition

*Philippine Boardsailing Federation, Inc.
*National Motorcycle Sports & Safety Association
*Sports Climbing Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Underwater Hockey Confederation
*Muay Association of the Philippines
*Philippine Tournament Bridge Association
*Philippine Rugby Football Union

External links

* [http://www.olympic.ph Philippine Olympic Committee website]
* [http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/noc/noc_uk.asp?noc_initials=PHI POC profile at the IOC website]