Disunity in sports

The clamor is for unity in sports.

The other day, the First Gentleman called for solidarity during a meeting with the country’s top sports officials, some of whom make a living out of feuding, at a Chinese restaurant near the Rizal Memorial complex.

Unity is emerging as the theme in the coming Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) presidential elections to be held after the Athens Games. The candidate, who is in the best position to unify the fractious elements that undermine the stability of Philippine sports, will most likely win.

But as talk of unity fills the air, there is disturbing news that in the Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA), war drums are beating.

Like the POC polls, the PNSA presidential elections will be held this year. No schedule has been set but the word is that disgruntled shooters are pushing for a poll as soon as possible before all hell breaks loose.

PNSA president Art Macapagal, a two-time Olympic free pistol shooter, is on the hot seat. He won the presidency in a close contest over Ed Fernandez four years ago. I’ve known Art for years. He’s a straight shooter, literally and figuratively. He minces no words and is a man of action. Art is also a man of his word.

A few weeks ago, Art summoned the country’s leading rifle and pistol shooters to explain the qualifying procedures for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to be staged here next year. The meeting turned out to be a gripe session as outspoken three-time SEA Games campaigner Therese (Tetang) Cantada, taking up the cudgels for some 30 shooters, engaged Art in a heated argument.

I spoke to Tetang yesterday and she was still fuming. She claimed Art offered to resign if there is a signed petition urging him to step down. "We’re calling his bluff," said Tetang. "Over 30 rifle and pistol shooters have signed a petition."

Before the last SEA Games, some 15 shooters were in the national pool receiving allowances from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). Today, only six are in the pool–Jimmy Recio, Eric Ang, Jethro Dionisio, Gay Corral, Brian Rosario and Tac Padilla. They are in the elite list by virtue of being medallists in the last SEA Games.

The coaches pool was similarly reduced. Retained were Boy Gines, Bart Teyab, Orly Marquez and Marat Niazov of Turkmenistan. Stricken out were Danny Flores, Oscar de Leon and Albert Manubay.

Tetang questioned Niazov’s retention at the expense of Flores who coaches several SEA Games shooters. "Niazov receives over $2,000 a month, is probably in his 60s and has been here for years," said Tetang. "I can’t see how his salary can be justified considering his productivity. We’re scrimping and cutting down on allowances but we continue to pay Niazov’s salary. In the last SEA Games, our shooters got their $300 allowance right before they left Vietnam back to Manila. Why are shooters expected to fend for themselves?"

Tetang said in the SEA Games qualifiers, the PNSA proposed 11 competitions up to June next year. Qualifiers will begin receiving support from the PSC three months before the SEA Games.

"The PNSA expects the shooters to support themselves because the logic is, you perform first then you will be supported," continued Tetang. "What about shooters who can’t afford? What about policewoman Susan Aguado who spends P120 a day commuting from Novaliches to the Fort Bonifacio range? Isn’t it the PNSA’s responsibility to develop internationally competitive shooters? Isn’t one of the PNSA’s objectives to promote shooting as a sport in the country? How come we’ve only had one National Open since 2000?"

Tetang explained that the process of electing a president begins with the voting of three representatives from the five PNSA groups, namely, rifle, pistol, moving target (shotgun), practical and non-union. The 15 representatives choose the president from among themselves.

"I realize Mr. Macapagal’s predicament," said Tetang. "The PNSA is cash-strapped. But shouldn’t the leadership do something to solve the problem? Shouldn’t it actively raise funds so shooters don’t have to pay for target sheets in competition? We can’t just allow our shooting facilities to deteriorate. As it is, our shotgun range in Tondo has been shut down. The 25-meter range in Fort Bonifacio is now the living quarters of a platoon of Marines. The target retrievers in the 10 and 50-meter ranges don’t work. Our equipment hasn’t been upgraded since 1991. Target machines for rifle and pistol are in a sorry state of disrepair. We’ve got to do something positive to reverse the situation."

Tetang said the PNSA is in a crisis and the rift with the leadership is "irreconcilable." She said if Art meant what he said, his stepping down will be the first step to put the PNSA house in order.

But is reconciliation really out of the question?