Angping, Elizalde meet, patch things up

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping broke bread with International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde yesterday in Makati.

“It was a very pleasant meeting,” said Angping who came under fire recently after the Philippine Olympic Committee executive board signed a resolution demanding his ouster.

But Angping has taken the right steps toward reconciliation, and the meeting with Elizalde, one of the 14 signatories of the resolution, was a major step toward that direction.

Shooting president Art Macapagal brokered the meeting. POC president Jose Cojuangco, who is in Kuwait, was not aware of it, according to his spokesman, Jose Romasanta.

“We only had one objective and that’s an integrated sports development. This meeting was another step toward total reconciliation,” said Angping.

The POC accused Angping of discrimination against foreign-based Pinoy athletes, and government interference on the affairs of the different national sports associations (NSAs).

The other day, however, Angping dismantled the task force he set up for swimming, and ordered the release of P450,000 financial assistance for US-based swimmer Ryan Arabejo. – Abac Cordero