Cyclists assembly slated

The newly-revitalized Philippine Amateur Cycling Association (PACA) under the leadership of Ponciano Regalado Jr., has called for a cyclists’ general assembly and election of officers tomorrow at the Amoranto Velodrome in Roces Avenue, Quezon City.

The assembly, which starts at 7 a.m., will kick-off the association’s activities for 2001. The meeting was called at the insistence of various cycling groups, including members of the national cycling pool.

Expected to attend the assembly are delegates from PACA provincial and city chapters which have organized or reorganized themselves to support Regalado’s mission to stop the decline of cycling in the country.

Regalado recently launched "2001: Cycling Odyssey," a year-long series of road and track races. The first race was held at the Quezon Memorial Circle last Jan. 28. Big names in professional cycling joined recreational riders and novices in a whole morning of exciting and friendly competition in three categories: Executive, Master and Elite.

In a statement, Regalado said he will push for a comprehensive program to revive cycling as a sport and regain the Philippines’ "long lost glory in international cycling."

He noted that in 1981, Filipinos were ranked best in cycling in Southeast Asia, and third best in the whole of Asia. He further said that in 1991, Pinoy cyclists performed well in the SEAG cycling competitions.

Regalado has been working closely with various cycling groups to coordinate the short term and long-term calendar of events of the association. Part of the extensive plan for 2001 is a National Cycling Championship to be held towards the end of the first quarter of the year. Linkages with business groups have also been initiated for the purpose of soliciting sponsorships for the association’s programs and projects.