Sports Eye
Politics in sports getting worse
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
YOU and I are aware that on May 13, 2008 the world basketball governing body, FIBA (international basketball federation), already withdrew its recognition of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and declared Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) as the new legitimate basketball national governing body.
But in a sudden twist of events, BAP recently rose from its grave to move against SBP saying that the latter’s crop of current leaders is in disarray and their program is not working. This, again, prompted FIBA to interfere and formed a special panel to look into the domestic affairs that could lead to the withdrawal of its recognition for the SBP.
That irked and caused SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala to flare up and quickly questioned the decision of the FIBA to reopen the case that it had already laid to rest.
FIBA summoned Pangilinan, SBP chair Oscar Moreno along with BAP president Prospero Pitchay and chair Luis Villafuerte to attend the meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on July 20 to resolve the rift. But as expected, the SBP leaders complain that FIBA failed to cite a valid ground for the new move, and therefore, decided not to attend the special commission meeting. If that should happen, the case will not be resolved and, it could result in another suspension for our nation and exclude our nationals in the FIBA Asia Championships on August 6-16 in Tianjin, China. This already happened before.
What’s happening in basketball is happening to the cycling sector, with three personalities claiming to have won the association’s elections. Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino asserts that he’s the rightful leader of PhilCycling being recognized by UCI, the world cycling governing body, despite his not joining the May 9 elections supervised by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Former national rider Rolando Hiso won in that election, 6-5, but it was questioned by the group of businessman led by Mikee Romero saying only 11 board members attended when 15 was required. To make the story short, a reelection was done on May 17 but Hiso and company boycotted the affair saying the election was already finished. Romero won that poll, 7-6, despite his absence and is now recognized by POC, the umbrella organization of all our national sports associations. Romero as the new president, started to form the RP nationals last week for the Laos SEA Games this coming December. Hiso, who just arrived from U.S last Wednesday night, was relegated to be the chairman of the board but he said during my conversation with him last Thursday evening, that he won’t accept the new position and maintains his assertion as the rightful highest leader of PhilCycling. Meanwhile, Tolentino, as expected, is contesting Romero’s presidency and is forming his own national squad.
Two-time SEA Games gold cyclist Marites Bitbit (her mother from Malasiqui and her father from Cebu) texted me last Friday saying she and her co-national riders are already confused and do not know whose orders to follow. Demoralization has seeped in.
From basketball, cycling and now the badminton blues.
The situation in the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) is no different. Its president and former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos is being booted out by its vice president Errol Chan. It started when Ramos voted for Art Macapagal against the incumbent president Peping Cojuangco in the November 2008 POC polls. Ramos, elected twice as PBA head, then expelled Chan as head coach of the RP team for failing to improve the performance of the nationals. Ramos also accused Chan of insubordination for refusing to recognize her as president and dishonoring her due to “business interest.” She didn’t elaborate.
But I believe Chan turned against her because of vindictiveness and obviously also wants to grab the leadership. Like Tolentino in cycling, Ramos failed to get the nod of POC. But her leadership has the blessing of the world governing body, the International Badminton Federation.
Where are we headed in forthcoming international competitions with all these?
Remember our debacle in the 2007 SEA Games? We were the overall champions in 2005 only to slide to sixth place out of 11 countries. It was politics that wasted our chances.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
