POC to take over SEAG training of feuding NSAs

If leadership disputes in sports associations like basketball, cycling and weightlifting will continue to affect the preparations for the Southeast Asian Games, then the Philippine Olympic Committee will just have to take over the training of the athletes from these NSAs.

Philippine Olympic Committee first vice president Steve Hontiveros made the suggestion yesterday as it brought to mind the move by the POC when it took control of the SEA Games preparations of the gymnastics association after then warring officials Pam Valdez and Soltero Tejada failed to settle their differences in 1993.

"Personally, the idea of POC taking control of these warring NSAs is the best thing to do considering that the SEA Games is just barely six months away," said Hontiveros, the Philippine Bowling Congress’ president.

Hontiveros said it is best that the POC take care of the SEA Games preparations of the three associations while its Arbitration Committee, chaired by Claudio Altura, is trying to resolve the leadership crisis in the said three NSAs.

"Mas maganda kung POC muna ang mag-train sa mga nag-aaway na NSAs habang naghahanap pa tayo ng solusyon sa mga problemang hinaharap ng basketball, cycling at weightlifting," said Hontiveros.

POC secretary-general Romeo Ribaño, however, clarified that the idea is just the POC’s last option. "This is just the POC’s last resort but we’re confident we can resolve these issues fast."

As this developed, Hontiveros, chairman of the POC Technical Committee, said the POC has started to meet with the various NSAs with regard to their training and preparations for the SEA Games in September in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. — Joey Villar