POC to resolve cycling row soon

POC spokesman Joey Romasanta said yesterday a formula similar to what was used in resolving the leadership dispute in basketball will be applied in determining the legitimacy of two rival groups applying for recognition as the National Sports Association for cycling.

Last Dec. 13, the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines held its elections in accordance with the NSA Constitution and By-laws and former national cycling team manager Rolando Hiso was voted president. POC assistant to the president Go Teng Kok witnessed the proceedings as observer in a personal capacity.

The other day, another organization called the Philippine Cycling Association conducted its own elections and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham (Bambol) Tolentino was voted president. No POC official attended the polls at the Amoranto Stadium but Haji Abu Samah Wahab, president of the ASEAN Cycling Association and Malaysian Cycling Association, flew in from Kuala Lumpur as special guest.

Romasanta said the POC Executive Committee, made up of the newly elected Executive Board and IOC representative Frank Elizalde and secretary-general Steve Hontiveros, is the appropriate forum to tackle the cycling problem but couldn’t be sure when it will be convened.

“The regular ExCom meeting will be held after the General Assembly meeting on Jan. 28 then the POC will hold its planning session on Jan. 29-30,” said Romasanta. “But at the request of the POC chairman (Rep. Monico Puentevella), a special ExCom meeting can be called even before the General Assembly meeting.”

Puentevella has taken clear steps to resolve the cycling row and a few days ago, met with several of the sport’s stakeholders in trying to arrive at a solution. Among those whom Puentevella met were Mikee Romero, cycling enthusiast and PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, Pato Gregorio of Smart Sports, Hiso and Manding Bautista.

“It’s vital to sift through the Constitution and By-laws to find out which group is legitimate,” said Romasanta. “If we apply the SBP formula, we must look at the members’ list to find out who are legitimate. That process was essential in the SBP eventually obtaining recognition from the POC. There are legal issues involved and I’m sure both groups have their own lawyers to argue their case.”

As for Haji Wahab’s presence in the Philippine Cycling Association elections the other day, Romasanta said it has no bearing in determining legitimacy.

“The key is POC recognition,” said Romasanta. “The international federation will recognize what the POC recognizes, not the other way around.”

For his part, Go Teng Kok said he is endorsing the Hiso group for complying with the POC’s requirements. From all indications, the Hiso faction has the numbers, proved by the presence of former and current national cyclists in a 50-kilometer, four-category cycling festival the group organized at the Q. C. Circle the other day. The participants included Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Victor Espiritu, Arnel Querimit, Santi Barnachea, Warren Davadilla, Lloyd Reynante and Irish Valenzuela.

Trinidad said he attended Puentevella’s meeting to share his experience in the SBP.

“I wanted to share what I learned from history,” said Trinidad who bikes every morning to stay fit. “I certainly wouldn’t want a repetition of the BAP and SBP war. I agree with chairman Puentevella that this problem can’t go on and we should apply the SBP formula. There is no doubt that Hiso’s group is the legitimate NSA.”

Trinidad said Romero’s presence in the meeting was a gesture of selflessness and patriotism.

“Mikee should be commended,” said Trinidad. “He was approached by the other group to become chairman but he declined. He has no active role in cycling and wants no position. All he wants to do is to help because he believes Philippine cycling has a lot of potential for growth. Just showing up for the meeting brought us hope for unity. Pato’s presence also signified support from a giant sports backer. These are good signs that we’ll have a resolution sooner than later.”

Hiso, who turned 62 yesterday, has been a long-time supporter of cycling and was once a national cyclist himself. He wore the country’s colors at the Asian Championships in Korea in 1969, the Bangkok Asian Games in 1970 and the World Championships in Montreal in 1974. A former Marikina teacher who earned a degree in elementary education at Roosevelt Colleges, Hiso was a bemedalled cyclist who dominated the National Open and PRISAA during his competitive years. He retired from cycling in 1974 but resurfaced to serve as team manager, spending his own money, for the national team in the Southeast Asian Games in 1993, 1995 and 1997 and the Asian Games in 1998.

“I just want to help,” said Hiso. “All these years, our national cyclists have been complaining about a lack of transparency among the officials some of whom have been charged before the ombudsman for corruption. It’s time that we listen to our athletes and give them what they deserve. I have no ambitions of power and money. I only want to serve. My record of integrity speaks for itself.”