World body urges POC to untangle cycling row

The Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body for the sport, has finally stepped into the picture regarding the leadership dispute within the Philippine Amateur Cycling Association.

The UCI, through a letter signed by its president Hein Verbruggen, has refused to recognize neither Ponciano Regalado Jr. nor Antonio Cruz as head of the local cycling group who have both claimed to be the rightful head of the PACA.

In the same letter, the UCI said it has decided to leave the issue in the hands of the Philippine Olympic Committee led by Celso Dayrit, who had his hands full trying to settle a similar issue involving the local basketball body last year.

The UCI has asked the POC to "investigate the dispute that has brought the managers of your federation into a conflict. The UCI also described the leadership row as "regrettable and prejudicial to our sport."

Both Regalado and Cruz wrote the UCI separately trying to secure the federation’s recognition. The POC has also written the UCI informing the world cycling body of its refusal to recognize neither group.

"We are expecting a proposal from the POC on how to end this dispute. We will do our best to re-establish a suitable situation for the health of cycling and for the athletes," Verbruggen said in his letter. — Abac Cordero