Anxious riders call for unity

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s brightest medal hope in the cycling competitions of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou in November yesterday called for unity within the local cycling association.

“We’re here to voice out our appeal for them to fix the problem or set it aside for the sake of the Asian Games,” said Maritess Bitbit, who carried the hopes of her fellow cyclists.

The two-time SEA Games champion who came very close to the bronze medal in the points race event of the 2006 Asian Games said the earlier the problem is solved, the better for the riders.

“It’s us, the cyclists, who get affected by this,” said Bitbit, referring to the long-running leadership dispute between two groups claiming to be the rightful representative of the sport in the country.

There’s the group of Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino, which continues to enjoy the recognition of the Union Cycliste Internationale, and the one now headed by Philip Juico.

Juico’s group, which had five changes in leadership inside the last two years, used to enjoy the full support of the Philippine Olympic Committee, but now the POC is calling for an election.

The POC said both groups should agree to a common set of by-laws and their membership before calling for an election, the results of which should be acceptable to both factions.

Bitbit said if the officials cannot do this in time for the Asian Games, then maybe they can set it aside.

“Since they’ve come up with a memorandum of agreement regarding the holding of the unified tryouts, why don’t they extend the MOA until the Asian Games. They don’t have to worry about the cyclists and the coaches,” said Bitbit.

The 32-year-old rider who specializes on the points race, individual pursuit and road race said the 35 cyclists who made it through the unified tryouts last week have no problem working together as a team for the Asian Games.

However, it doesn’t mean that all of them would make it to Guangzhou because they still have to justify their inclusion to the Philippine delegation.

“Even the coaches. We have all proven that we can work together despite the differences among our leaders. We are unified. Now we hope our officials can do the same,” she said.

Bitbit said it was too much for the cyclists to undergo the harrowing experience during the 2009 Laos SEA Games where they were barred from competing because of the leadership dispute.

“It was a traumatic experience for me and my fellow cyclists. I got so depressed after that SEA Games that I didn’t even want to touch my bike. I hope it doesn’t happen again in the Asian Games,” she said.