“United we stand, divided we fall”

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

UNLIKE the other national sports associations in swimming, equestrian, badminton and especially cycling, the just one-month old power squabbling in our national football association was quickly resolved. It was made possible by the swift verdict of the sports world governing body the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) confirming Mariano “Nonong” Araneta as the new president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), replacing the controversial Jose Mari Martinez.

It will be recalled that it was only last November 27 when Martinez was booted out from office by an overwhelming number of 25 local football associations out of 32, during the PFF Congress and later selected Araneta to carry out the remaining 11 months tenure which will conclude in November next year. Jerome Valcke, FIFA secretary-general, wrote the PFF the other day saying that FIFA is now recognizing Araneta as the new head of PFF following the national congress held last November.

I doff my hat to FIFA for that decision. Araneta, who was first recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and subsequently recognized by FIFA, is now unequivocally the official leader of our country’s football group. Martinez has nowhere to go now.  Clearly, the issue has already been resolved.

Unlike in football, the issue in cycling is turning from bad to worse. Just few days ago, party-list group LPG Marketers Association (LPGMA) Rep. Arnel Ty has sought an inquiry into the very poor performance of our national cyclists in the recent 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Our Filipino contingent in the quadrennial meet, two of whom were from Pangasinan namely Marites Bitbit of Malasiqui and Bicol born Mapandan son-in-law Irish Valenzuela failed to win any medal similar to what happened in 2006 Doha, Qatar Asian Games.

“It pains us to see our cyclists perform inadequately in international athletic events,” said Ty. “There’s no reason why we cannot reprise if not surpass our extra ordinary achievements in prior cycling competitions,” he added.

Maybe Ty was referring to the Southeast Asia Games in 2003, 2005, 2007 where our national riders harvested 25 medals, eight golds, eight silvers and nine bronzes. In 2009, we failed to participate because our PH squad failed to secure an international license from the world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) due to the conflict between our national cycling leaders. Years passed and until now the conflict is still unresolved. Pataasan ng ihi, ‘ika nga.

What a shame.

Ty has already filed House Resolution 766, enabling the House committee on youth and sports development to look into the matter.

Ty, who now runs the new Tour of Luzon and has a team in the Padyak Pinoy Tour, is very aware of the happenings in the national cycling circle especially the rift between our national cycling leaders. He knows that cycling now in the country is divided, the major cause of our debacle in international competitions.

I might sound like a broken record but I want to say it again, that until these cycling leaders sit down and settle the gaffe, we’ll never-never reach our goal. Borrowing from the Americans’ dictum, “United we stand and divided we fall” is the situation in our sports backyard. Divisiveness is the major root of all our letdowns.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth. To a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give him the throne of His father David. LUKE 1: 26-32

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