GTK appeals for peace, unity among NSAs

Athletics chief Go Teng Kok is offering his services to Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit in bringing peace and unity among the national sports associations (NSAs) as well as bridging the gap between them and the Philippine Sports Commission.

"The year 2004 offers a lot of good things to Philippine sports. But in order to enjoy it, we must be united and try to be humble," said Go, who, after surviving a near-fatal assassination attempt last July, had dropped some of his flamboyant and fiery ways in favor of a quiet but effective running of the affairs of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association.

His offer of peace and cooperation with Dayrit, a long-time foe, came after his announcement not to seek the POC presidency next year and instead concentrate more in producing Filipino track heroes.

"This is my second life and I want to spend it with a doubled effort in sports development. My wish for my colleagues in sports, particularly Mr. Dayrit, is to join me in attaining unity in the POC."

Go, who still counts enough supporters to contest Dayrit in the POC elections, advised the latter to "forget who his allies and enemies are" and treat all NSAs with the respect and recognition they deserve.

"My NSA friends and his NSA friends are all sports officials who can do their jobs well by joining forces. Let us stop playing favorites, let us stop the prosecution of those we think are our enemies.

"And if Mr. Dayrit wishes to continue fighting the PSC, I must advise him that he cannot keep it up if even his friends in the POC do not back him up."

Go noted that the PSC, despite some flaws in its policies, provided a big help not only to the PATAFA, which emerged as the winningest NSA with eight golds in the recent Southeast Asian Games, but also to some NSAs.

"I don’t think the PSC will entertain complaints and protests if they’re just coming from one person. Mr. Dayrit must talk to all NSAs, rekindle the sense of unity and camaraderie in the POC which, as one, would be a force to reckon with in dealing with the PSC."

Dayrit, in his latest tirades to the PSC, complained about what he perceived as the latter’s flawed priorities in spending government money and called for a moratorium in the staging of the Palarong Pambansa, Batang Pinoy, Mindanao Games and other grassroots sports programs.

"Although Mr. Dayrit has some points, I don’t believe majority of the NSAs subscribe to his ideas. You cannot speak about grassroots with such authority if you do not seek the opinions of the NSAs.

"We have a big job to do in 2004 and a major undertaking in 2005 to keep us very busy. Let us forget politics for a change and help each other for the sake of this country’s athletes," said Go.