Romero accepts cycling top post

MANILA, Philippines - Sportsman Mikee Romero has accepted the challenge to lead the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (Philcycling) in an interim basis due to the urgency of the situation.

With the participation of the Filipino riders in the Laos SEA Games this December on the line, Romero agreed to take over as president of the association even as he announced the holding of tryouts soon for the formation of the national team.

“I am accepting this presidency in the interim basis or until after the SEA Games. I am just here to push for the SEAG competitions to move forward, as a caretaker of the cycling body at this point,” said Romero.

“I don’t need a position to help but I need to accept this post for the meantime so that our riders can compete in the SEA Games,” he said.

Although there is another group, which claims to be the legitimate association and boasts of a valid recognition from the international federation, the group of Romero and former cyclist Rolando Hiso was the one recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee.

During its executive committing meeting last Wednesday, the POC approved and recognized the May 17 elections that installed Hiso as chairman and Romero as president.

Without a legitimate and acknowledged NSA, the Philippine cycling team members can’t compete in the SEA Games.

Romero met with RP coaches Joselito Santos, Carlo Jazul and Gerardo Amar, and team members Alfie Catalan, Arnold Marcelo and SEA Games gold winner Victor Espiritu at the POC office.

“That was crucial in making the decision to accept the post. We had a hearty talk, so to save the situation, I have to accept it,” said Romero. “They have been training for 40 weeks, so I don’t want to deprive them the opportunity to give honor to the country.

The Philippines is long considered as one of the powers in the sport in the region.

Romero, who pledged to give P5 million to the training and foreign competitions of the cycling team, reiterated his call for unity within the cycling community, especially to the other group headed by Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino.

“I am also reaching to my friend Mayor Tolentino to unite this NSA and may I not pose as a threat to anybody but rather as a unifying factor,” Romero, the amateur basketball godfather, said.

Romero said he will lay down the blueprint of his program in the next few days, including the tryouts for the national team for the SEA Games.

Meanwhile, Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the leader of the other cycling group recognized by the UCI or the International Cycling Federation, said he is disappointed Romero accepted the presidency.

“I’m surprised,” said Tolentino. “He had a promise that he will not meddle with cycling affairs, he reneged on that.”

Romero said he is open for possible unity talks with Tolentino, who agreed but only to discuss issues concerning the RP team and not the cycling leadership.

“I’m open to sit down with him (Romero) but only to talk on Philippine cycling as a whole and not on leadership issues because I’m still the president of cycling recognized by the UCI,” Tolentino said.