PATAFA stripped of authority

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Bambol Tolentino said yesterday upon suspension of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA)'s membership in POC, its authority over athletes has been rescinded and for this reason, world No. 5 pole vaulter EJ Obiena is cleared to compete in the coming SEA Games with POC’s accreditation despite PATAFA’s non-endorsement.

“All athletes, coaches and activities (of PATAFA) will be directly under POC’s supervision and financially by PSC,” said Tolentino after the POC Executive Board sanctioned PATAFA in a meeting last Thursday for “failing to serve its purpose as an NSA.” The suspension will be in the agenda for ratification by the POC General Assembly in a regular meeting on March 30. Under POC statutes, a 2/3 vote is required to suspend an NSA.

Tolentino said PATAFA will not be accredited by POC to represent the country in international competitions. “It is IOC’s mandate that the NOC is responsible for the accreditations of the games,” he stressed. “The international federation of athletics has its own autonomy on recognition of an NSA.  However, it bears a huge weight that POC suspended PATAFA due to IOC charter violations. The suspension will reflect a huge impact.”

While the suspension is not expulsion, Tolentino said PATAFA’s privileges as a POC member are withdrawn. “POC will naturally inform the international federation that the NSA membership of PATAFA in POC is suspended, including its privileges as a POC member and the same letter will be sent to the organizing committees of competitions,” he said. “Even if PATAFA is still recognized by its international federation because it’s just a suspension, POC nomination is what is required for the SEA and Asian Games.”

What triggered the suspension was PATAFA’s refusal to endorse Obiena’s participation at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Belgrade this week. “It’s apparent that PATAFA has deliberately and intentionally disregarded our basic principles of promoting sports and development,” said Tolentino. “Unfortunately, the non-endorsement of Obiena has created a national issue. Under the IOC charter, EJ has two reasons to be endorsed — sports merit and inspiration to the youth. PATAFA prioritized its pride and it saddens me to look closely on a chance slowly gripping away. They have withheld an opportunity of the Filipino people to have another world record.”