PSC to Patafa: No liquidation, no fund

The Philippine Sports Commission yesterday settled for a compromise as it granted one request while denying another one by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association.

Chaired by William "Butch" Ramirez, the board approved the funding of the national athletics team to three international events — one in Thailand and two in Indonesia — since they would serve as part of their buildup for 2006 Doha Asian Games this December.

However, the board denied Patafa’s request for P1 million assistance intended for the National Open Invitational Championships slated May 4-7 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, saying that the "no liquidation, no financial assistance" policy stands.

"Their (Patafa) request was denied," Guillermo Iroy, the PSC executive director, told The STAR.

Iroy stressed they couldn’t release money to delinquent NSAs (national sports associations) including Patafa, which has yet to liquidate advances amounting to P1.4 million.

"The PSC is not playing favorites, this policy is applicable to all delinquent NSAs," said Iroy.

In fact, Iroy said they have approved international exposures by some NSAs that have complied with the PSC policy.

Boxing, which has a strong chance of winning a gold medal in Doha, was granted two international exposures — one a senior male and female event slated May 1-8 in Turkey and the other set May 24-29 in Kazakhstan.

Aside from boxing, baseball has also availed itself of financial assistance as the PSC approved the national batters’ trip to the Baseball Cup unfolding on April 27 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Same with the soft tennis association.

Iroy said Patafa, which is headed by Doha Asian Games Task Force chief Go Teng Kok, was trying to settle its obligations at press time.

"They’re at the accounting office right now (yesterday). If they can liquidate it this week, the board will tackle it in their next board meeting next week," Iroy said.

But next week could be too late for Patafa since by that time, the National Open will be just barely two weeks away.

That means organizers of the annual event expected to be participated in by local and foreign competitors will have to find other ways to fund it. Or, it may cancel the event altogether.

"We will not meddle with NSA-related matters like the National Open, financing lang ang sa amin," Iroy said.