POC sets uniform rule for NSA polls

The Philippine Olympic Committee yesterday passed a resolution standardizing elections in the various national sports associations (NSAs) to avoid future leadership controversies that have been hounding RP sports for years.

"The POC General Assembly approved a resolution which gives us uniform guidelines in how elections should be conducted," said POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr. after emerging from the assembly at his residence in Dasmariñas Village, Makati.

"This should avoid potential leadership squabbles in the future," he added.

Cojuangco said the POC will revive its membership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and urged the NSAs to do the same.

In fact, the NSAs were asked to submit their current constitution and by-laws certified by the SEC that should also include an official list of its members entitled to vote in the polls.

The NSAs should also inform the POC 15 days prior to their election, request an observer from the POC and furnish the POC a copy of the minutes of how the election was conducted.

Basketball, table tennis and softball were some of the sports hounded by leadership issues that resulted to either suspension from the respective International Federation or simply a stagnation of the sport.

Meanwhile, Cojuangco said he would not accept the job of chief of mission by Team Philippines in the 2007 Bangkok Southeast Asian Games, citing pressing concerns that needed to be addressed.

"That’s not an important matter now, what’s more significant is the task force since they’ll be taking care of things concerning preparations for Bangkok," said Cojuangco.

The task force is chaired by Julian Camacho of wushu with Romeo Ribano of squash and Mark Joseph of swimming as its members.

Bacolod Congressman Monico Puentevella also counted himself out, saying he’s busy right now with other issues concerning the House of Representatives.

Philippine Sports Commission chair William "Butch" Ramirez earlier relinquished the post he has held in the 2005 Manila SEAG and the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

Others considered are Camacho, Manny Lopez of boxing and POC chair Robert Aventajado of taekwondo.