Archery faces suspension

The tug-of-war in the battle for leadership in the National Archery Association of the Philippines (NAAP) has caused the Swiss-based Federation Internationale de Tir A L’Arc (FITA), the sport’s world governing body made up of 140 national associations, to lose its patience.

FITA executive director and secretary-general Tom Dielen recently set a deadline of July 1 for the NAAP to get its act together. If the leadership problem isn’t resolved within the deadline, the NAAP will be suspended from participating in FITA events, including the FITA Congress.

Dielen was clearly disgusted by the display of disunity involving two Filipino archery groups during the recent Asian Grand Prix in Bangkok. That was the last straw.

It wasn’t Dielen’s first taste of Filipino intrigue. Dielen referred to “extensive contradictory communication” received by FITA from the warring parties frequently bombarding the Lausanne office with “exposes” trying to court his sympathy. He’s obviously peeved that instead of trying to resolve their differences by themselves, the opposing groups brought the battleground to FITA, which has more important things to do than to wallow in petty turf bickering.

Dielen, a 40-year-old Belgian who holds a Master’s engineering degree in computer science and a Sports Management degree, is too smart to be dragged in the middle of an intramural contest. He has instructed Um Sung Ho, the Asian Archery Federation secretary-general, to determine the “rightful” NAAP representative. Dielen told the Filipino claimants to submit documents proving their legitimacy to Ho.

Archer Kit Cojuangco, the acknowledged leader of 12 of the country’s 16 bowmen in the national pool, said his group is 100 percent behind POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr.’s reform program but wouldn’t support NAAP president Dr. Lenora Brawner unless she institutes measures conforming to requirements of all National Sports Associations (NSAs), including the ratification of a Constitution and By-Laws, registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the formalization of a Board of Directors.

Brawner had actually resigned as NAAP president but was persuaded by the POC president to remain in the saddle on a holdover capacity.

A group attempting to take over the NAAP from Brawner is led by former secretary-general Ligaya Manalang who was suspended by the POC ethics committee for alleged anomalies last year. Manalang has reportedly beaten Brawner to the draw in the race to obtain SEC recognition but her track record and reputation are major setbacks to gain support from the POC and PSC.

Kit said he represents the independent conscience bloc. “We’ll follow the rule of law,” he declared. “We won’t jeopardize our careers by supporting a group that isn’t legitimate. We’re waiting for the POC to make the call. If Dr. Brawner’s group is recognized, that’s fine with us for as long as she fulfils the legal requirements imposed by the POC on an NSA. We want an end to this problem so we can move forward.”

Kit was supposed to compete in Bangkok with seven other archers but had to back out when his three-month-old son was hospitalized with a viral heart infection. The boy was confined for eight days. Since Kit was responsible for raising the funds to finance his group’s trip, most of the archers decided to withdraw from the tournament. In the end, only Dondon Sombrio from Kit’s team left for Bangkok and paid his own way.

Brawner and acting NAAP secretary-general Terry Lim were in Bangkok with archer Earl Yap whose father Benjamin was implicated in Manalang’s alleged anomalies but turned “state witness” to get off the hook. According to Kit, the Brawner group tried to discredit Sombrio – which was probably why Dielen flared up. Tournament organizers eventually allowed both Yap and Sombrio to represent the Philippines. With all the distractions and name-calling, neither Yap nor Sombrio wound up with a medal.

“We will continue our fight for the rule of law amidst our training for the rest of the tournaments this year,” said Kit, the POC president’s nephew. “All we want is to prevent the further usurpation of authority and likely suspension of our association gravely affecting our athletes and our country.”

* * *

Barangay Ginebra coach Joseph Uichico said the other day he still has to scout all the imports in the PBA Fiesta Conference to evaluate their abilities.

“We know (Shawn) Daniels and he’ll definitely make Burger King stronger,” he noted. “We know (Galen) Young who played for Tim (Cone) at Alaska and Siot (Tanquingcen) for San Miguel. Tim likes to bring back his imports because they already know his system which is difficult to adjust to in the beginning. (J. J.) Sullinger is an athletic import and he’s always tough. (Brian) Hamilton is a role player and will fit in with Purefoods which already has a lot of scorers, including James (Yap) and Kerby (Raymundo).”

Ginebra’s only offseason loss was Alex Crisano who has moved to the Barako Bulls. The rest of the cast is back with Jay-Jay Helterbrand leading the pack. Also returning are Ronald Tubid, Billy Mamaril, Paul Artadi, Sunday Salvacion, Jun-Jun Cabatu, Chris Pacana, Willie Wilson, Macky Escalona, Eric Menk and Rafi Reavis. Mark Caguioa and Junthy Valenzuela are still in sick bay but Uichico said he hopes they’ll be able to suit up before the end of the eliminations. Lefthanded import Rod Nealy of Houston Baptist returns for a second tour of duty after his debut in the 2007 season.

Although Uichico is downplaying Ginebra’s chances, the Kings looked formidable in recent practice games, beating Rain or Shine, Coca-Cola and Sta. Lucia Realty.

“The practice games weren’t a gauge,” said Uichico. “Rain or Shine played without an import. Sullinger didn’t play long minutes for Coca-Cola and we played Sta. Lucia 10-minute quarters with non-PBA referees. Still, we won all three games with Rod.”

Ginebra is supposed to be the Fiesta Conference defending champion but Uichico said he’s not putting more pressure on the Kings with the label. Besides, Ginebra topped the last edition where there was no height limit for imports and now, the ceiling is 6-6. Regardless of the billing, Uichico promised the Kings will play their guts out, game after game. “We owe it to the fans,” he said.

The Kings play their first game against Coca-Cola at the Ynares Center in Antipolo tonight.