Nat’l cycling headship still in tatters

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE rift among our national cycling leaders, after a few months of quiet, burst anew when the group of Mikee Romero, claiming to be the legitimate leaders of PhilCycling given the recognition by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the faction of Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino, who’s also claiming to be the rightful head of our national cycling federation as recognized by the world cycling body, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

The situation is really vexing and confusing especially after Judge Ramon Paul Hernando of Quezon City Regional Court, Branch 93, issued the TRO last October 12 preventing Tolentino from representing himself as the prexy of PhilCyling, and his bloc from taking the cudgels for the Philippine cycling team, thus giving Romero temporary control of PhilCycling, our national cycling body.

Of course, Tolentino is expected to battle the TRO and I anticipate more brouhaha to come.

First and foremost to be affected are our national cyclists, majority of them from Pangasinan. It’s demoralizing and the chances of our nationals to win medals in the coming South East Asian (SEA) Games will surely dwindle. As a former athlete, I’m fully aware that the lack of preparation and lack of competition brought about by this cycling imbroglio will definitely affect the performance of our riders. Remember, the 2009 SEA Games to be held in Laos is just 45 days away.

“Magulo, Uncle, at nalilito kaming RP team. Hindi namin alam kung sino talaga ang mga boss namin,” said Pangasinenses Marites Bitbit and Arnel Quirimit. “Sana magbigayan na sila kung talagang mahal nila ang kapakanan ng ating bansang Pilipinas.”

Cycling organizer and Padyak Pinoy Tour head Gary Cayton buzzed me last October 16 to lament and deplore the current cycling controversy, saying that due to this cycling leaders’ conflict, resources for the national squad are affected. Commercial sponsors for the annual big race are now thinking thrice (not only twice) about engaging in cycling activities.

I believe him. It’s happening to me, too, as one of the cycling organizers in the province.

When will the brawl end? I don’t know. Siguro kapag naubos na ang kanilang matataas na mga ihi.

* * *

My first and only cycling son Jazy blissfully texted me the other day to inform me that he successfully defended his Guam cycling diadem by winning anew the 3rd Cove to Cove Road Race Championship held on October 18. The 65-kilometer hilly race was organized by the Guam Cycling Federation and participated in by 42 riders with different nationalities in Guam and neighboring islands. Jazy finished all alone, outdistancing his closest pursuer American Derek Horton by 17 seconds and establishing a new course record of two hours, six minutes and 33 seconds. Another Yankee fellow Warren Carrol and Baguio City-born Paul Ballesteros came in third and fourth, respectively.

Jazy also said that the GCF Northern Circuit, another Guam event, will be held on November 1. This will be a good tune-up race for the 3rd Annual Hill of Marianas to be staged in the U.S. commonwealth island Saipan on December 5. The Saipan race is the biggest bikefest in northern Marianas Islands with the winners, both men and women, to receive $1,000 each. It will cover a distance of 100 kilometers, majority of it to be run in the mountains with a total elevation of 4,500 ft.  above  the sea level. Ala Baguio mountains, ‘ika nga.

I wish I could go and watch the event. I’ve been in Saipan eight times during the 80’s, during which time I met a lot of my Filipino old acquaintances as well as new friends. Saipan, located 230 kilometers northeast of Guam, is 27 just minutes away via jet.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments