Feuding leaders urged to attend cycling summit

MANILA, Philippines - Moying Martelino, who was tasked to mediate between the two warring factions within PhilCycling, yesterday said Tuesday’s reconciliatory meeting will not serve its purpose if the main figures from both sides don’t participate.

“That’s the reason why I’m inviting all the decision makers of both groups, meaning the presidents or secretaries general,” said Martelino, a member of the Philippine Olympic Committee working group for the Guangzhou Asian Games.

Martelino, former secretary-general of the Asian Basketball Confederation, said it will be a waste of time if the rightful leaders of both sides don’t show up. He was referring to businessman Mikee Romero and Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino.

There’s some confusion if Romero remains the leader of the group being recognized by the POC because at the height of the leadership dispute the youthful owner of Harbour Centre had either filed a letter of resignation or had gone on leave.

Tolentino heads the other group, which enjoys the blessings of the international federation, the Union Cycliste Internationale or UCI. The meeting was supposed to take place last Wednesday but Tolentino begged off due to a previous commitment.

Martelino said he’s expecting the leaders of both groups to show up. In Romero’s case, the POC mediator said it must be made clear who the rightful representative would be, whether it’s Col. Arnold Taberdo or Armando Bautista.

“I am inviting Mr. Romero because I understand he is only on leave as president of his faction. If he had indeed resigned, then whoever will represent the group must show proof that he is the rightful representative,” said Martelino.

“Otherwise, we’ll just be wasting our time,” he added during the Scoop sa Kamayan forum.

The two groups disputing the leadership of the association clashed head-on during the 2009 SEA Games in Laos when 13 cyclists representing the Romero group was not allowed to compete in the biennial event, and lost their chances to win medals.

They failed to present their licenses from the UCI, which recognizes Tolentino’s group. Now, the POC wants to make sure it doesn’t happen again when the Philippines sends a delegation ot the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.

The POC, through RP Team chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta, called on both groups to set their differences aside and stage a unified qualifying tournament and choose the cyclists to don the RP colors in Guangzhou, regardless of their affiliation.

“I don’t see anyone saying no to this proposal. Even temporarily, I hope the two sides can agree on sending a team to Guangzhou – with no conditions. The only condition here is there should be no condition,” said Romasanta.