PhilCycling head named to ACC management body

MANILA, Philippines - Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of PhilCycling, was appointed recently as one of the members of the influential Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Management Committee during an ACC meeting in Indonesia.

He was also elected as one of the nine voting delegates from Asia to the 2009 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Congress scheduled on Sept. 25 in Lugano, Switzerland.

“I am honored to be appointed to the ACC Management Committee and more especially, as one of the voting delegates of the continent,” said Tolentino.

The election of Tolentino as a delegate in the UCI Congress from Asia is perhaps a first in Philippine cycling history.

As a voting delegate, he will participate in the quadrennial polls of the UCI.

Pat McQuaid is to remain as president because he will run unopposed in the UCI elections. McQuaid and the UCI, through the ACC headed by Cho Hee Wok of Korea, are recognizing Tolentino as national federation president in the Philippines.

“My appointment in the ACC is a shot in the arm for Philippine cycling,” said Tolentino, noting that: “I will do my best to use this post to develop the sport in the country and put the Philippines in the world cycling map.”

Tolentino’s appointment was confirmed in an Aug. 24, 2009, letter and email sent by Cho through his secretary-general Choi Boo Wong.

“It is hoped that cycling in Asia and the world be further improved with your contribution and passion toward it in the years to come,” Cho said in the letter.

As a member of the ACC Management Committee, Tolentino will have a hand in the management of the sport in the continent. His participation in the said ACC meeting resulted in a grant of five (5) BMX bicycles from ACC.