Real issue is NCFP’s lack of leadership, says Antonio

Grandmaster Joey Antonio yesterday said he has nothing personal against Mark Paragua, adding that there could be someone pulling the strings on the youthful International Master to further muddle the controversy hounding Philippine chess.

"Mark is just being used to destroy me," the 41-year-old Antonio said in a press statement he himself distributed at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex press room.

Antonio clarified that he and fellow GM Bong Villamayor resigned as officers of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) last Tuesday in protest of Sammy Estimo’s handling of the association’s affairs as its secretary-general, but remained with the national team.

"Wala akong sama ng loob kay Mark. Ginagamit lang siya para sirain ako. Ang protest ko ay ang lack of confidence namin sa pagtakbo ni Sammy Estimo ng NCFP," said Antonio.

The disgruntled GMs blasted the NCFP for the absence of a sound program that would benefit the majority and also singled out Estimo for acting as head coach of the RP team in the recent Vietnam SEA Games so he could avail himself of the coaches’ allowance or incentive.

"He takes credit for our three golds in Vietnam. Wala naman siyang ginawa at illegal ang appointment niya. An NSA official cannot act as coach and at the same time draw allowances from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)," said Antonio.

Villamayor, however, said they don’t know yet if Estimo did receive cash incentive from the PSC for the three gold medals won in Vietnam. Players received P100,000 for a gold, P50,000 for a silver and P10,000 for a bronze medal won in Vietnam. Coaches received less.

A meeting between the feuding parties is set this weekend with athletics chief Go Teng Kok, in his capacity as member of the NCFP board of directors, standing in between.

"As NCFP director, I was asked to help resolve the issue. And I will do just that. I’ve known these players, Antonio and Paragua, for so long and Mr. Estimo said maybe I could help," said Go, who will first meet with Paragua and GM Eugene Torre before he calls in Antonio and Villamayor.

Go was quite hesitant joining the picture but said he just can’t turn his back on the issue, being a director of the NCFP.

"What can I do if they ask my help? I just hope everything is settled soon," he added.

Antonio and Villamayor also raised an issue regarding the financial support given by the First Gentleman (Mike Arroyo) Foundation to the NCFP prior to the SEA Games. The money was supposed to fund their training and preparation for the biennial meet.

"Pero walang training na nangyari. Venue lang ang nagkaroon. Training? Wala. Sa Ho Chi Minh na nga kami nagkita-kita e. So, saan dinala ang pera?" said Antonio.

They also questioned the planned megabuck one-on-one showdown between Torre and Paragua where the winner will earn a whopping P1 million and the loser taking P500,000.

"Madami-daming tournaments na sana ‘yan para sa lahat. Instead of the money just going to two players," said Antonio.