Don't blame UCI

As if Philippine sports could afford more problems, the recent Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) decision ignoring a Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) certification sets a dangerous precedent that will leave a permanent scar on the credibility of the country’s Olympic leadership.

The POC confirmed the participation of 13 cyclists not affiliated with the Philippine Cycling Association (PCA) led by Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino as president, at the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Laos only to receive orders from UCI to cease and desist.

That’s because UCI recognizes Tolentino as the country’s cycling head despite the POC’s refusal to bless the PCA as its designated National Sports Association (NSA).

At presstime, it was not known if the 13 cyclists flown by the POC to Laos will be allowed to compete. Negotiations are ongoing to accredit the cyclists even at the expense of incurring UCI’s displeasure. But it’s unlikely the Laos organizers will want to step on the toes of an international governing body. There is much more to lose, in terms of global respect, for Laos to snub UCI than to thumb down the POC’s appeal.

The problem shouldn’t have reached UCI in the first place. But because the nature of Philippine politics is destructive not constructive, UCI has stepped into the dispute and ruled against the POC – a slap on the face of the country’s Olympic authority.

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There are actually two national cycling organizations in existence – the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) and the PCA. Rolando Hiso was voted PhilCycling president with POC witnesses last year but the mandate was later withdrawn with the entry of businessman Mikee Romero.The POC chose Romero to head PhilCycling instead because of his vast resources and influence.

To be fair, Romero never aspired for a position in PhilCycling. All he wanted was to support cycling in the background. Romero has a stirring passion for sports and his involvement was premised on bringing honor to the country. When the POC asked Romero to take over PhilCycling, he agreed in good faith. Romero wouldn’t have accepted if the POC didn’t assure him of its backing and recognition. Unfortunately, the POC’s assurance came without UCI’s blessings.

As PCA president, Tolentino enjoys UCI’s unconditional support – which much to the POC’s regret, isn’t transferrable to PhilCycling.

The POC dealt the cards and played its hand, choosing to recognize Romero, not Tolentino. Sensing an untenable situation, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping opted to withhold financing the trip of the 13 cyclists to Laos. The POC, however, accredited the 13 cyclists and brought them to Laos with no assistance from the PSC.

This case only proves that the POC is powerless in recognizing an NSA if the NSA isn’t recognized by its international governing body. The POC is, in effect, unauthorized to recognize an NSA unless the NSA is sanctioned by its international governing body. The implication is before an organization applies to the POC for recognition as an NSA, it must first be confirmed as a country affiliate by the international governing body.

Gaining POC recognition as an NSA is therefore meaningless unless there is prior clearance or approval by the international governing body.

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The POC recently faced a similar problem with the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) recognizing party list Rep. Carissa Coscolluela as NSA president instead of the POC president himself, Jose Cojuangco Jr. To protect his position, Cojuangco met up with FEI executives in Lausanne and obtained an assurance of support if he won in a supervised election. Cojuangco obviously knew FEI’s ruling would supersede or override any decision made by the POC.

Given the equestrian experience, the POC should have anticipated the cycling row in Laos.

If only we Filipinos learned to settle things amicably, if only the POC exercised its political will to solve the problem between the PCA and PhilCycling and if only national interest took priority over personal interest, the cycling imbroglio in Laos could’ve been avoided.

No, UCI isn’t to blame for the shame and scandal in Laos. Only the Filipino sports leaders themselves are to blame for refusing to give in to each other, for stubbornly protecting their turf like it was a birth-right, for insisting to hold on to authority without compromise and for disgracing Philippine sports.

Caught in the middle of this mess are the 13 cyclists who are the victims of an embarrassing civil war. They trained long and hard for the SEA Games. Because of the insensitivity of the country’s sports officials, the 13 cyclists will likely be reduced to tourist status in Laos.

Someone should be accountable for this disaster. If you ask Angping, he’ll tell you who.