Juico signs pact for cycling unity

MANILA, Philippines - Saying he wants to be part of the solution, Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines president Dr. Philip Ella Juico yesterday affixed his signature to a memorandum of agreement (MOA) aimed at putting up a united cycling front for the sport in the upcoming 2011 Southeast Asian Games.

“It’s all about finding solutions to cycling problems and this united front could be a start,” said Juico. “As I’ve been saying all along, I want to be part of the solution and not add to the problem.”

The former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman and Agrarian Reform secretary said that he signed the MOA prepared by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) through its president, and former Congressman, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., “with absolutely no changes.”

Under the MOA signed by both Juico and PhilCycling president Mayor Abraham Tolentino, the parties will “form and create a united cycling team under the auspices of the POC and the PSC and undertake to submit their respective list of athletes and coaches, together with the justifications for each candidate, to the PSC and POC.”

They also “shall negotiate with one another in good faith in order to conclude the necessary agreement regarding the number of athletes and coaches to make up the united national cycling team.”

Due to the crisis in cycling, created by the inability of the Filipino cyclists to obtain the license to compete from the UCI, the international federation for cycling, the Philippines was not able to participate in the Laos SEA Games. The country lost the opportunity to vie for the eight gold medals.

“We obviously don’t want a repeat of that, that’s why I fully support the efforts to put up this united front. We are doing this for the athletes, so that only the best can be sent to the games and given a hassle-free training,” said Juico, referring to the biennial meet set in November in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia.

Both parties are also expected to respect and abide by the ruling of the POC and PSC with regard to athletes who will be selected and qualified based on performance and upon such determination by the agency involved, they shall form part of the training pool of the national cycling team.

Cooperation is an integral part of the agreement, as “the parties understand and agree that effective utilization of resources and expertise to execute and implement a united cycling team requires close coordination and integrated activities.”

“As I’ve said, this is the start. At least, the athletes can train now without having to worry and be anxious about whether they will be able to compete. This (agreement) definitely erases all of their reservations and fears,” said Juico.