Cycling association rift

 

 

 

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

AFTER the ballyhooed power-struggle between the Basketball Association of the Philippines and the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, which legal feud reached all the way up to the Court of Appeals, another national sports association is in jeopardy owing again to a power struggle. This time in cycling, my number one sport.

I believe you avid sports followers already read about the rift between two groups, a familiar situation similar to basketball, billiards, swimming, chess, badminton, taekwondo and weightlifting associations.

Last December 13, an election was held in the national governing body of cycling called PhilCyling. Sports czars Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok and Philippine Olympic Committee honcho Manny Lopez attended the affair. Several cycling club presidents attended too, and they elected 15 board members with former cyclist Rolando Hiso getting the top post as PhilCycling prexy. But the current officers of PhilCycling, headed by the president Bert Lina, boycotted the polls. They said they will hold their own election on January 16 at Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City, obviously defying the election results, short of saying that the election was illegal since it was not officially sanctioned.

My, oh my, when will we see a stop to these foolish and meaningless conflicts? It’s really humiliating and demoralizing to our athletes. No wonder we have deteriorated in international competitions, with our worst performance yet in the Beijing Olympic Games.

I’m concerned because this is my sport and I want cycling in this country to shine again like it did in the 80’s and 90’s. But today, instead of progressing, it’s the other way around. No unity, pataasan ng ihi palagi ang nangyayari sa mga sports leaders natin.

My question is, can they not talk things over and avoid the needless bickering?

* * *

The recently concluded 2nd Gen. Bataoil-Jesus Garcia Jr. Cup was successfully held. No untoward incident happened, thank God. Policemen in all the towns that we passed ensured a very smooth traffic flow for the whole entourage.

“Iba talaga kapag si Gen. Bataoil ang mag-sponsor sa karera ng bisikleta, alert ang mga pulis,” said Phil Celi, the Region 1 PRISAA executive director who joined the entourage from start to finish and handed the cash prizes, trophies and medals to all the winners.

My big thanks to the people who in one way or another helped make the event successful.

To Mayors Al Fernandez Jr. of Dagupan City, Hermie Romero of Mangaldan, Rey Velasco of Sta. Barbara, Jonas Castaneda of Lingayen, Vice Mayors Pedro Surdilla Jr. of Mangaldan and Teofilo Humilde Jr. of Alaminos City, 4th District Board Members Jeremy Rosario and Liberato Villegas, Engrs. Rodolfo Dion, MacArthur Samson, John Garcia, Joey Aquino, Mangaldan Councilors Melchor de Guzman, Bernabe Cervas, Alberto Fabia, Manuel Cabrera, Baby Abalos, Dr. Roger Velasquez, Col. Amando Lagiwid, Maj. Ferdinand de Asis, Mr. and Mrs. Lorna Evans, Jesse Maanao, Phil Celi and Blandino Caguioa of Houston, Texas.

I’m making this piece on my birthday, Dec. 18, and I want to say ‘thanks’ also to all the people who greeted me, celebrated with me and wished me well during my bash.

Muchos gracias senores y senoras. Todos ti amo.

(Readers may reach columnist at biking.jess@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/
For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

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