GO Teng Kok, the special assistant to Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, said he will leave for Laos next week to meet with Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith to hopefully seal the organizers’ decision to include basketball in the 2009 Southeast Asian Games roster.

Go said he will personally deliver to Sisoulith two endorsement letters signed by former Philippine ambassador to Laos and Cambodia, Antonio “Tony” Cabangon Chua, who personally interceded to help sports officials lobbying for the inclusion of basketball in the games.

“The POC, with the help of Mr. Cabangon Chua, has set a meeting with the Laos deputy prime minister. It’s a very important meeting and we’re very optimistic that we will finally receive the official decision of the organizers with regards to basketball,” said Go.

“Actually, we already scheduled a meeting with the deputy prime minister last month through the effort of current Ambassador [Elizabeth] Buensuseco, but the Thai prime minister arrived at the same time, kaya hindi na kami nagkausap,” added Go.

The missed opportunity, Go claimed, resulted to the organizers’ sudden change of heart as they excluded basketball from the official list of the events released last week.

“But this time, we’re optimistic for a more positive response. Once na makuha na natin ang official decision, dapat nating kilalanin ang efforts ni Mr. Cabangon Chua. He really deserves our accolades as he worked hard to open the line of communication with the Laos organizer.” Edwin Rollon