PSC, NSAs to thresh out differences

In a sign of peace and reconciliation, Eric Buhain yesterday reached out to those seeking his ouster as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

A meeting between the PSC chief and the NSA (national sports association) presidents who recently signed an oust-Buhain petition paper has been set for Monday.

"If they’ll talk, I’ll listen. Then I’ll explain our side and hopefully, we can agree to work as one from thereon," said Buhain, who was appointed by President Arroyo to the PSC post two years ago.

Buhain, winner of 15 SEA Games gold medals in swimming, said he will not take anything personally against those who signed the petition paper, and only hoped that the scheduled meeting will push through.

"I will not hold any grudge against those who signed the petition. It’s their right and I respect that. I only want to work and for them to work with me for the sake of Philippine sports," Buhain added.

The meeting, to be held at the Century Park Hotel, was reportedly brokered by RP track and field president Go Teng Kok, the highly-influential NSA head who refused to sign the petition paper.

At least nine NSA presidents dismayed with Buhain’s running of the PSC signed the petition paper which was drafted during a secret meeting last Jan. 4 at the Dusit Hotel in Makati. They planned to bring their petition to Malacañang but apparently held back after they failed to gather enough signatures.

There are close to 50 NSAs in the country although only 36 of them are considered regular voting members by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). The rest either stand as recognized or associate members.

Ironically, some of those who signed represented NSAs that didn’t do well in the Vietnam SEA Games last December. They are Chito Ilagan of swimming, Rey Jaylo of judo, Claudio Altura of yachting, Benjie Ramos of rowing, Noel Buenaventura of gymnastics, Vic Valbuena of table tennis, Richard Gomez of fencing, Luciano Lim of bodybuilding and Dr. Sim Chi Tat of canoeing.

Of these nine NSAs, only fencing and gymnastics won gold medals for the country in Vietnam.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit (fencing) and POC vice president Steve Hontiveros (bowling) showed up at the Dusit meeting but played safe by not signing the petition paper.

Reports (not in The STAR) said a couple of signatures have already been withdrawn from the petition paper after it failed to gain ground as those who initiated it had hoped for.

Aside from Go, other "big-time" NSA presidents who refused to join the petition were wushu’s Julian Camacho, boxing’s Manny Lopez, basketball’s Tiny Literal, taekwondo’s Robert Aventajado, weightlifting’s Rep. Monico Puentevella, golf’s Rod Feliciano and tennis’ Buddy Andrada.

"Out ako diyan (count me out). The Olympics is just around the corner and we don’t need these kinds of distractions," said one of those who kept their pens in their pockets.

A meeting among those who wanted Buhain ousted was scheduled last night at Dusit, and invitations were sent out to other NSAs who may want to join their cause. It could be a crucial meeting because just in case of a low or lower turnout, then it’s on to Monday’s meeting.