The karatekas, led by Brunei SEA Games bronze medalist Junnel Perana, are up in arms following a recent order by the Philippine Sports Commission banning Philippine Karatedo Federation president Eduardo Ponce and coach Clodualdo Alpapara from entering the Philsports premises.
The ban was issued by the PSC last July 11 as the PKF president, along with Alpapara, is being investigated for alleged violation of the government sports agency’s financial policies. The Philsports Complex, being used by the karatekas training for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, is under PSC management.
Ponce, however, said the 38 athletes under his wings will not leave the Pasig venue if the ban is lifted. "That would be okay because all I want is to keep the athletes’ morale high going into the SEA Games," said Ponce.