MANILA, Philippines - Sa pakikialam ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) sa programa ng mga National Sports Associations (NSA), hindi na malayo ang kakaharaping suspensyon ng bansa mula sa International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Ito ang pahayag kahapon ni Francisco Elizalde, kinatawan ng IOC sa Pilipinas, hinggil sa pangunguna ni PSC chairman Harry Angping sa kalakaran ng mga NSAs.
“There is a strong possibility as the path we are following, which is the collission course obviously, we do run the risk of being sanctioned by the IOC because, ironically and unfortunately, the IOC obviously doesn’t have any jurisdiction over the Philippine Sports Commission,” ani Elizalde. “Bu they have jurisdiction over us, the POC. So whenever there is outright interference by a governmental unit, be it a sports entity, then the IOC reacts by suspending the NOC of that particular country.”
Hindi na bago ang pagkakasuspinde ng bansa sa sports scene.
Bunga ng panggugulo ng sinibak nang Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), sinuspinde ng FIBA, ang international cage body, ang bansa na nagresulta sa kabiguan nitong makapagdaos ng basketball event sa 23rd Southeast Asian Games noong 2005.
Kamakailan ay bumuo si Angping ng isang task force na didiskubre ng mga bagong swimmers na hindi naman sasailalim sa patakaran ng Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) ni Mark Joseph.
“In the IOC Charter and even in the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) Charter, it is very specific that the NOC (National Olympic Committee) cannot allow any interference,” ani Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Jr. “If we do then we can be subjected to being remove as a member or suspended.”
Ayon kay Elizalde, iuulat niya ang naturang isyu sa IOC. (Russell Cadayona)