POC takes over karatedo team training

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Olympic Committee will see to it that members of the Philippine karatedo team will remain on track as they gear up for this year’s Asian Games in Indonesia in August.

The Philippine Karatedo Federation is beset by a controversy involving the alleged misuse of financial assistance, involving its secretary-general, from the Philippine Sports Commission during an overseas training in Germany last year.

The controversy has reached the World Karatedo Federation, which has decided to withdraw its recognition of the PKF headed by Jose Romasanta.

Amid the suspension, the POC has decided to temporarily take charge of the karatedo team. POC president Ricky Vargas and arbitration and disputes commission head Robert Aventajado acted on the matter before it’s too late.

“We need to get the best athletes to represent the country and leadership or membership issues should not disenfranchise them. If the POC can assure this, then we are willing to take on the challenge,” said Vargas.

Romasanta will present his case during the WKF World Congress in Madrid, Spain in November.

“To prove that we put the interest of the country above all else, I have agreed to the interim solution of POC president Ricky Vargas and we will accede to the Philippine Olympic Committee’s plan to assume the responsibility of selection and training of national karatedo team for international competitions. This is the arrangement while we confront  the issues before the World Karate Federation,” he said.

Former taekwondo jin Jobet Morales has been tapped to look after the karatedo team, and make sure that deserving national karatekas get to represent the country in upcoming tournaments, including the Asian Games.

Vargas said the WKF will be informed immediately of the POC move, and ensure that the Philippines stays in the radar of the world governing body in karatedo.