Philcycling slams runaway group, asserts legitimacy

PhilCycling, not the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines, is the country’s legitimate governing body in the sport.

A PhilCycling official yesterday made this clarification amid the recent polls done by the ICFP, which elected Rolando Hiso as its president.

“PhilCycling remains as the legitimate national sports association in cycling, not the other breakaway group,” said PhilCycling secretary-general Lorenzo Lomibao, referring to the ICFP.

PhilCycling will hold its elections Jan. 16 next year after FedEx and Air21 top honcho Bert Lina decided he would not seek a second term after four years of serving the association.

Lomibao said the polls would be attended by International Cycling Federation (UCI) president Pat McQuaid of Ireland and a representative each from the Asian Cycling Federation and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

“UCI president Pat McQuaid said he might come as an observer, if not he’ll send a representative,” said Lomibao.

Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino bared his intentions of running as president while amateur basketball godfather and Harbour Centre team owner Mikee Romero is seeking the chairmanship.

Lina will be conferred a chairman emeritus position by the PhilCycling board to also help in realigning the policies.

The cycling leadership was muddied after the ICFP held its own election simultaneously with the PhilCycling board meeting last week in Tagaytay City where 75 members coming from the country’s cycling clubs were given voting rights.

Athletics chief Go Teng Kok, who is also a special assistant to POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., attended the ICFP election reportedly as an observer.

In a press release by the Hiso group, the ICFP announced its own programs that included preparations for international events like the Tour de Langkawi, 2009 Southeast Asian Games, 2010 Asian Games and 2012 London Olympics. - Joey Villar