Sporting Chance

For a while, it seemed like Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) President Go Teng Kok would turn against Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Celso Dayrit in the same way he stuck a knife into Cristy Ramos' heart.

About a month ago, I got a call from Go who vowed to boycott all POC functions because he objected to Dayrit's reconciliatory posture towards his detractors. Go said he purposely didn't attend the recent blessing of the new POC office at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) to express his dissent.

But I sensed that Go's displeasure wasn't deeply rooted. It was more out of a misunderstanding. A POC official once described Go as "matampuhin ... very sensitive." I felt it was just a matter of time before Go and Dayrit would get together and iron things out.

Go said he risked life and limb in leading the bitter campaign to oust Ramos as POC President and install Dayrit as her successor last year. When Ramos was finally booted out, Go confided that he felt he deserved some recognition for his effort. But the recognition never came, he sighed.

Go thought he would be given an important assignment at the Southeast Asian Games in Brunei last year. He thought he would be named Chef de Mission of the Philippine delegation. He wasn't.

"Of course, I was waiting for an appointment," admitted Go candidly. "Di ba, I deserve it? I did the dirty job of bringing down Cristy not because I didn't like Cristy. It was nothing personal. I did it for the POC. 'Di naman ako ambisyoso. All I wanted was some respect and recognition. That's not too much to ask for."

Go said he also expected to be given an important assignment in the coming Sydney Olympics. As it turned out, Dayrit appointed Col. Salvador (Buddy) Andrada of tennis as the Philippine delegation's Chef de Mission in Sydney. Go was again left out.

Go related that when Dayrit learned of his disappointment, the POC President phoned him to make amends.

"Tanong sa akin ni Sito, totoo bang I was aspiring for the job," said Go. "Sincere kaya siya? Anyway, the offer came too late. Masama na ang loob ko. I was never consulted in selecting the Chef de Mission although I understand kung bakit napili si Buddy. Sito explained that he needed an experienced Chef de Mission kasi we're really going all out in Sydney to win our first Olympic gold medal."

But more than the failed appointment, Go said he was disappointed because Dayrit didn't pursue his plan to clean up the National Sports Association (NSA) ranks of grafters and non-performers.

"Before Sito was elected President, he promised a program of reforms," said Go. "He promised to kick out 'yung mga walang ginagawa at 'yung mga gumagawa ng kalokohan. But when he became President, he began to play politics - wala siyang sinibak."

Go said not too many NSA Presidents attended the blessing of the new POC office and hinted that it may be an indication of Dayrit's dwindling support.

Dayrit is up for reelection in the next POC polls this November. How he's regarded by the NSA Presidents will be known then.

A few weeks ago, Go made a sudden turnaround. He showed up late at a POC Executive Council meeting and was warmly welcomed by Dayrit. The change of heart showed Go's political maturity. Apparently, he'd decided boycotting POC functions wouldn't do anyone any good.

Personally, I believe Dayrit and Go need each other. They work well together. Go's gesture of reaching out to Dayrit is a positive development. And so is Dayrit's warm welcome.

In the coming POC polls, Dayrit should be given a fresh mandate. He assumed the Presidency at midstream and under "revolutionary" circumstances. He should be given a chance to show what he can do in a full term. So far, he's pushed the right buttons and pulled the right strings in consolidating the NSA ranks. Surely, Go realizes that, too.

I heard that Dayrit and Go have patched up, talked things over man to man, and agreed on what steps to take in strengthening the POC. I also heard that Go will be the Philippine delegation's Chef de Mission at the 2002 Asian Games in Pusan. If that's true, both Dayrit and Go deserve congratulations.

At the moment, Go is heavily involved in investigating the charges hurled by national karatedos on NSA President Pocholo Veguillas. So far, Go has done a good job in ventilating the issues and allowing Veguillas his day in court. In other words, he's been fair. Now if Go stuck to his earlier decision of boycotting POC functions, he wouldn't have been able to do what he's doing to help the prejudiced karatedos.

Thank goodness, Go is back as Dayrit's staunchest ally.