Philippine Olympic Committee installing national sports association heads?

MANILA, Philippines — A number of national sports associations (NSAs) is trying to settle their own leadership issues in time for the General Assembly meeting of the Philippine Olympic Committee on Monday that could virtually settle the issue on the controversial elections for the highest posts of the Olympic body.

There were reports that the POC is involved in installing NSA heads to gain the number needed  for the Peping Cojuangco bloc in a showdown with Ricky Vargas and his supporters on the issue of active membership in the POC.

Yesterday, the shooting association elected former Ilocos Norte Gov. Chavit Singson, replacing Richard Fernandez, a known Vargas supporter.

PhilSwimming, steeped in crisis, is holding a meeting today at the Manila Polo Club to find a solution to their own problems as the body elected former national swimmer Ral Rosario in place of Mark Joseph , a long-time sec-gen of the POC.

The chess body also re-elected Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, who insisted that the IOC letter has nothing to do with the POC elections.

The tennis, triathlon and weighlifting associations are also dealing with leadership or identity issues.

In tennis, two groups are contesting the leadership, while triathlon and weightlifting have yet to settle their issues with the POC and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The three or four NSAs holding elections the past couple of weeks came in time for Monday’s extra-ordinary General Assembly wherein the POC will have to settle a very delicate issue leading up to the court-ordered elections for the positions of POC president and chairman on Feb. 23.