What a shame

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE squabbling between two national cycling groups, each claiming to be the legitimate national sports association to represent our country in any international competition, is headed for a showdown. The state of affairs between the two warring groups have turned from bad to worst.

Last week, the two blocs, both calling themselves as the International Cycling Federation of the Philippines (ICFP), held their respective national cycling open championships in different venues and on the same dates. The group of Philip Ella Juico, affiliated with and recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) but unfortunately not recognized by the world governing Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), is conducting its track races at Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City and road races in San Mateo and Morong, Rizal. On the other side, the faction of Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, which is recognized by UCI but cannot get the nod from POC – which I believe is due to political reasons – is doing its races in Tagaytay City and Balayan, Batangas.

Both groups deliberately scheduled their events in the same week to prove which one is really the legitimate national governing body in cycling. Obviously, the two wrangling camps don’t want to sit down and solve the entanglement once and for all. They are at war and that is how they want to keep it. Both groups are saying that whoever passes these qualifying races will become the authentic members of the PH national team. But unfortunately, and maybe unknown to these cycling leaders, their egos are killing cycling in the country. Our cyclists are confused, beleaguered and divided. It’s very bad for the country.

What a shame.

Although broken up into two groups in such ugly competitions, our elite Pangasinan cyclists are still joining the battle. As of this writing, latest news I received from the Juico event is that Pozorrubio son Nilo Estayo and San Manuel native Alfie Catalan are dominating the velodrome races while Tarlac City-born Binalonan-resident Merculio Ramos Jr. is leading the 40-kilometer individual-time-trial (ITT). On the Tolentino side, Mangaldan pride Renato Sembrano came in second in the 150-kilometer road event won by Tarlaqueno Tomas Martinez.

Despite the problem, our local riders are still showing their intensity in track racing and the road games. Our boys are proving anew that this province is still a force to reckon with and a premier source of outstanding cyclists.

The basketball and billiard woes are over. But the power struggle in several other national sports associations, aside from cycling, continue in swimming and badminton. And alas, the most recent emerged in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).

Reports say PFF President Jose Mari Martinez was removed from office by an overwhelming number of 25 local football associations during the PFF Congress held two weeks ago. The congress then selected Iloilo Football Association president Mariano Araneta to carry out the remaining 11 months of Martinez’s four-year term which concludes in November next year. But the big problem here is similar to cycling. As far as the world governing body Federation Internationale de Football is concerned, Martinez is still recognized as the president of PFF.

It’s another embarrassing situation. And I believe it will take months or years to resolve this new mess.

What a shame.

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It was sad to see the University of Luzon (UL) junior dribblers suddenly withdraw from the SBP National Junior Championship (19U) slated on December 6-12 in Iloilo City. According to UL’s sports honcho Seato Gonimil (as quoted by Dagupan City dad Chito Samson), the institution is facing a lot of commitments during this year’s yuletide season and is anticipating a budget constraint for the one week joust. Gonomil also said that Guagua National College, whom UL defeated during the elimination games on Nov. 25 and 26, will replace UL to represent area 2.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ISAIAH 9:8

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