Philippine Olympic Committee tackles national sports associations leadership conflicts

MANILA, Philippines - Settling leadership disputes among troubled national sports associations are some of the concerns that would be discussed when the Philippine Olympic Committee holds its general assembly meeting today at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

POC spokesman Joey Romasanta said although the main agenda are the president’s regular report and the country’s participation in the Asian Martial Arts Games, issues concerning rows involving cycling, badminton and billiards might be raised.

“Badminton wants an extension while both the cycling parties have submitted their position papers that it is now under review by our POC lawyers,” Romasanta told The STAR.

The request of incumbent Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines president Ernesto Fajardo to move the March 31 election scheduled by the POC to April, however, had been denied.

“They have to hold their election not later than March 31,” said Romasanta.

“The POC wants to hold the election on March 31 but we’ll hold it on April to carefully study the list of voters. That’s the request of the other group and, maybe, the POC has a say on it,” said Fajardo.

Fajardo’s group is being opposed by the group of popular cue artists headed by Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Alex Pagulayan, who is expected to field Arturo Ilagan, a former BSCP chair, to run for the top post.

The leadership of Philippine Badminton Association president former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos and PhilCycling’s Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino are being challenged by the groups of Errol Chan and Rolando Hiso, respectively.

Ramos and Tolentino, however, are both recognized by their respective International Federations.

To resolve these conflicts, POC deputy secretary-general Mark Joseph said they are proposing a resolution requiring NSAs to submit their constitution and by-laws and list of voters in advance before they hold their election.

“In the past, so much time was wasted on election protests so the POC passed a resolution to try to prevent disputes by requiring them to send us their charters and list of voters first before their election,” said Joseph

“That way, when the POC observer is designated to attend an NSA election, everything runs smoothly,” he added.

A group headed by shooting’s Art Macapagal meanwhile is reportedly set to question the POC executive council’s move to intervene in the affairs of NSAs. – Joey Villar