Cycling controversy: Clearing the air

Most controversies have at least two sides.

The lack of accreditation of Philippine cyclists during the recently concluded 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Laos is a classic example of such a controversy whose origins need to be clinically traced to provide a broader perspective to all sports stakeholders.

To shed some light on this matter and to provide a backdrop to the congressional investigation (which I personally support 100 percent since the inquiry could hopefully be conducted systematically in a sober and mature way, I talked to former Gintong Alay executive director Joey Romasanta and present spokesman of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). The following is a question-and-answer (Q-and-A) between Romasanta and this columnist .

Philip Ella Juico (PEJ): How did this controversy begin?

JR: At present, there are two cycling organizations. One enjoys the recognition of the POC and the other is recognized by the sport’s international federation, UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale). The cycling association was divided when some of its officers filed a case against other officers for alleged replacement of high-end equipment with local materials for personal profit. This led to the resignation of (then) head Bert Lina. A tug-of-war for the leadership ensued with Lina’s ally, Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino on one side and a group of former national cyclists led by Col. Taberdo and cycling veteran hand Manding Bautista, on the other (side).

PEJ: How did the association end up with two presidents?

JR: (In the middle of the dispute), two election proceedings took place: one proclaiming Tolentino as the duly elected (successor) of Lina while Taberdo’s group elected businessman Mikee Romero as president. Athletes and cycling coaches were divided. To maintain some semblance of order, POC advised the two groups to use the voters’ list that elected Lina into office.

PEJ: How did the warring groups take the POC advice?

JR: Taberdo’s group complied while Tolentino’s side insisted on (its) own list of voters that was, in the Taberdo group’s mind, unverifiable. The Tolentino list was naturally rejected by the Taberdo group.

PEJ: What’s the status of the controversy now?

JR: As of today (January 10, 2010), the stalemate stands although POC had given its recognition to Romero’s Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines. On the other hand, perhaps because of the long-standing business relationship between Lina and UCI head John McQuaid, who handled the FedEx Tour of Luzon in previous years, UCI gave its recognition to Tolentino.

PEJ: Where does the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) come in?

JR: In the midst of all these, PSC chairman Harry Angping ordered the cancellation of allowances given to those in the national training pool, majority of which were now with the Romero faction. Romero carried the burden of providing for the national cyclists and granted them monthly allowances and funded their training program for the SEAG.

PEJ: There have been charges that the POC saw this accreditation mess coming but did little to resolve it?

JR: Prior to the (Laos) SEAG, the POC Sports and Rules Committee chair, Go Teng Kok, verified with the organizers if RP cyclists would be allowed to participate. ASEAN cycling secretary-general Abu Samah Wahab gave the green light to send the cyclists. A week before the SEAG however, UCI notified the Laos organizing committee that UCI accreditation will be required of all athletes competing in the SEAG events. Days before the formal opening, Mr. Go flew to Laos to explore other avenues that would allow RP cyclists to compete even without UCI accreditation.

PEJ: How did the SEAG Federation take the deadlock?

JR: The SEAG Federation expressed full support for the Philippines and crafted a letter of appeal to UCI for the issuance of at least a one-time permit for the Filipino cyclists so they could see action in the SEAG. This, the member countries did (even if they realized) they could lose the gold medals to Filipino cyclists who were favored in four cycling events.

PEJ: What was the response of the UCI?

JR: The UCI, particularly McQuaid, did not respond to the SEAG Federation appeal although in a telephone conversation with Wahab, McQuaid informed the former that the decision to allow the Filipinos to compete is in the hands of Tolentino, who had been authorized by UCI to grant the accreditation. Tolentino rejected Wahab’s appeal in a telephone conversation on the eve of the competitions.

PEJ: How did the Philippines react to UCI’s position?

JR: The 12-member cycling team and its manager, Col. Taberdo, issued a condemnation letter against Tolentino and announced its decision to pull out of the competitions.

Next week, Romasanta’s perspective on how Maritess Bitbit and the 11 other cyclists (who seem to have all but been forgotten) reacted to the crisis in Laos.