Unresolved cycling czars’ tug-of-war

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

FOR four consecutive days last week, the row among our national cycling leaders was one of the main issues published in the sports sections of our national dailies. Like in the past, the groups of Philip Ella Juico and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino were both claiming to be the rightful national cycling body called PhilCycling. They failed to break the impasse, bickering against each other instead of sitting down and solving their differences.
And because of this tug-of-war, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by Richie Garcia has stopped the release of the allowances of the 16 national cyclists and four coaches under its payroll until the power squabble in PhilCycling leadership is settled. Yes, among the affected are our local cyclists like Renato Sembrano of Mangaldan, Ericson Obosa of Manaoag, Baler Ravina of Asingan, Irish Valenzuela of Mapandan, Sherwin Carrera of San Fabian, Alfie Catalan of San Manuel and on the distaff side is Marites Bitbit of Malasiqui. Reports reaching me say our local riders are entitled to monthly allowances within the range of P6,000 each for ordinary members and P10,000 each for those whom they call “elite athletes pool.”

The issue has dragged on for so long. If I’m not mistaken, it started when then PhilCycling president Bert Lina relinquished his post in 2004. From then on, the stalemate has not been resolved even as we approach the 26th Southeast Asia Games which will be held in Indonesia this year. The fate of our athletes in a major competition is again on the line.

In short, pataasan pa rin ng ihi ang mga cycling leaders na ito.

Reports also indicate that on February 15, the issue will be the subject of a congressional hearing by the House committee on youth and sports initiated by party-list Rep. Arnel Ty of LPGMA, the organizer of the now revived Tour of Luzon. The House will try to resolve the row having invited Juico and Tolentino to shed light on the problem that is affecting the PH squad.

But Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco said Juico and Tolentino should first agree to hold a “snap election”. If the two will still not agree to it, the last and final remedy is to go straight to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) based in Lausanne, Switzerland to settle the dispute. The decision of CAS, formed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), should be considered final and executory.

PSC’s Garcia promised to lift the suspension of the cyclists’ and coaches’ allowances if they come up with a list acceptable to both parties and assure him that the riders in the list will compete in the coming SEA Games, unlike what happened in 2009.

I’m really concerned because this is my sport, carrying 32 years of experience in competitions. These people manning national cycling I believe are insensitive and gluttons for power and are concerned only with their own personal gain.

My source said the henchmen of the two read my column through The PUNCH website. So this is my unsolicited advice to you guys there in PhilCycling: Read the Good Book, the Gospel according to prophet Mark 3: 24-26. Jesus said that “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.”

That is what’s happening now in their self proclaimed kingdoms. And the negative impact affects our country, on our potential to excel in cycling.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Jesus said “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ‘But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good for those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, “That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and send rains on the just and on the unjust”. Matthew 5: 43-45

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