Cyclists get SEAG support but need UCI nod

VIENTIANE – The Southeast Asian Games Federation Council yesterday unanimously voted for the inclusion of the 13-member cycling team in the list of participants for the 25th Southeast Asian Games but whether they could eventually compete in the event set to start Thursday would still be up to the international cycling federation to decide.

The Philippine cycling team at least hurdled the first step when all 11 members the SEAG Federation Council yesterday signed the appeal of the RP team to the international cycling body Saturday.

“It is heartwarming that all members of the council signed our appeal to the UCI. What we can do now is wait for their response,” said Go Teng Kok of athletics.

The SEAG endorsement could have some weight or put pressure on the UCI, which recognizes and accredits only members of the cycling faction headed by Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino.

In a power struggle that reached the Asian and international cycling body in the buildup to the SEA Games, the Philippine Olympic Committee gave its recognition to the leadership of Mikee Romero and approved Romero’s list of cyclists now in Laos for the Games.

However, the UCI and the ACF recognized the leadership of Tolentino, whose cyclists it has accredited for international competitions.

Romero’s Philippine cycling team includes Maritess Bitbit, Irish Valenzuela, Alfie Catalan, Jan Paul Morales, Eusebio Quinones, Frederick Feliciano, March Marquin Aleonar, Joey Barba, Alvin Benosa, Scott Remie, Ana Marissa Remigio, Julius Mark Bonzo and Ronald Gorantes.

Out of the team are Warren Davadilla, Victor Espiritu and former tour champions who did not participate in the national trials.

Bitbit, the 2007 SEA Games gold medalist, was in the list of both factions, and remains as the only official entry of the country in cycling.

The cyclists themselves have not gone through the usual grind since the members, except Bitbit, were not gold or silver medalists from the last SEA Games.

The Philippine Sports Commission, which funded the Philippine contingent’s participation here, gave assistance only to 151 gold and silver medalists from the 2007 Bangkok SEAG. The rest of the 253 athletes are supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee.

At the height of the leadership controversy, former president Romeo Hiizo, a former national cyclist now based in Chicago, gave up the presidency and left for the US. Romero also gave up during the stalemate and is now on leave.