Coseteng hits NSAs for decline in Phl sports

MANILA, Philippines - Former Sen. Nikki Coseteng yesterday called for a change in the leadership of non-performing national sports associations (NSAs) and challenged overstaying NSA officials to step down and call for legitimate, honest and fair elections to restore order in Philippine sports.

Coseteng, the former PBA official who organized the recent Peace and Unity Swim at Diliman Prep School in Quezon City, said in a press statement that Phl sports has declined to an alarmingly low level during the last 20 years and more so in the last decade due to lack of direction and organization.

“NSAs are no longer the best sources of elite athletes for international competitions like the SEA Games, Asian Games and the Olympics,” said Coseteng, whose family owned the former PBA ballclub Mariwasa. “NSA training lacks the effectiveness that can win a gold medal.”

She cited the mediocre performances by the Filipino athletes in international events, including the Southeast Asian, the Asian and the World Championships conducted and sanctioned by international federations.

“It is not the fault of the national players that we are into this mess. This is a result of poorly-run sports programs that produce unqualified athletes,” Coseteng said.

The former lawmaker added that power struggle and internal bickering continue to divide the NSAs and hinder the growth of the various sports programs, pointing to swimming, cycling, badminton, archery, football, equestrian and table tennis as those with leadership disputes.

Coseteng sharply criticized the Philippine Aquatics Sports Association (PASA) and its president Mark Joseph, whose policy of “unauthorized relationship,” she said, is “killing” instead of developing swimming.

She referred to the Peace and Unity Swim which drew under 5,000 participants but lacked the help it expected from the national swimmers to break the Guinness world record of 5,028 held by Italian swimmers last July.

Coseteng said Joseph also scheduled another swim event on the same day of the Peace and Unity swim in an apparent attempt to prevent the participation of the elite swimmers.

“Advising PASA swimmers not to participate in the non-PASA event or else they would be suspended was tantamount to sabotage of a national activity endorsed by President Aquino,” said Coseteng.

But Joseph had said PASA members cannot join a non-PASA event under the principle of “unauthorized relationship” espoused by the international swimming federation (FINA). Under the concept, PASA swimmers cannot join non-PASA competitions and non-PASA swimmers cannot become national swimmers or join any age group or national PASA competitions. Also, non-PASA members cannot join foreign age-group competitions.

“That was ridiculous. It was not the Olympics or Asian Games but a fun swim event to get the Philippines break Italy’s record,” said Coseteng.

Of over 38 NSAs under the Philippine Olympic Committee, only PASA adheres to the concept, which Coseteng said, hampers the development of swimming.

She also lauded a recent pronouncement by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia requiring all NSAs to open their national tryouts to members and non-members after he was informed that only PASA members will have access to such events.