NSAs elect POC president today

Representatives of 34 National Sports Associations elect today the president and other key officers of the Philippine Olympic Committee, the country’s highest governing body for sports, in closed-door elections at the Philippine Columbian Association.

Incumbent president Celso Dayrit, who completed the unfinished term of former president Cristy Ramos, and Go Teng Kok, who spearheaded the move to install Dayrit into power two years ago, will vie for the highest post in what they said will be a "very close" contest.

Dayrit himself said he would voluntarily resign from his post if his rival musters enough votes to force a tie in the presidential elections.

"If there is a tie, I will resign," said Dayrit.

Under the POC constitution and by-laws a tie will be broken by the vote of International Olympic Committee representative Frank Elizalde.

Elizalde, however, left for Athens Wednesday to attend a coordinating meeting for the 2004 Olympics. He will be back tomorrow and by that time, the elections will have been decided.

Observers said a tie could ensue since Go himself claims to have the support of 15 NSA presidents. He said he expects this to increase on election day.

Meanwhile, Ramos denied reports she was supporting any presidential candidate, adding that neither candidate is the type of leader the country needs because they "don’t represent the ideals of sports and Olympism."

Ramos was removed from power by a group headed by Go. She was replaced by Dayrit after the IOC and President Estrada conferred their recognition on Dayrit.

She said the country, under Dayrit’s term, made a dismal fifth place in the Brunei Southeast Asian Games and had no medals to show in the Sydney Olympics.

She also denied having given her support to Go although she admitted having talked to him over the phone.

"It’s a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea," said Ramos. "If NSAs don’t believe in them, they should abstain from voting."