Cojuangco hits Tolentino for cycling ban

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco Jr. said yesterday the ban on the country’s 12 national cyclists could’ve been avoided if only Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino licensed the disenfranchised riders for the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Laos.

Cojuangco, in an overseas phone call from Vientiane, welcomed a Senate inquiry on the issue but stressed that instead of just focusing on Baby Marites Bitbit’s claim of harassment, Tolentino should be made to explain why he sat on the licenses of 11 cyclists, depriving them of the chance to compete for flag and country.

Cojuangco disclosed that nine of 11 members of the SEA Games Federation signed a petition for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to allow the Filipino riders to participate in the cycling events. He said the matter of accreditation was up to UCI as the International Federation (IF) for cycling.

But UCI president Pat McQuaid denied the request, adding that he would permit the riders to compete only if Tolentino gave his go-signal. Tolentino is recognized by UCI as president of the country’s National Sports Association (NSA) for cycling or the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling). However, the POC recognizes Mikee Romero as president instead. The disagreement has caused friction between UCI and the POC with Tolentino left out of the General Assembly despite his IF sanction.

When Tolentino’s go-signal failed to come through, the hopes of the cycling team to compete for honors in Laos were effectively quashed. Tolentino was quoted as insisting he was never asked for his green light.

Cojuangco said Bitbit, the only cyclist licensed by UCI, agreed to join her teammates on the sidelines as a gesture of support and unity.

“I never asked to see her, she asked to see me and I made time to speak with her one-on-one,” said Cojuangco. “She asked for my opinion on what she should do and I told her you’re a team, how would her teammates react if she went on to compete. I thought that was the end of it because she decided no longer to compete.”

Bitbit signed a resolution with the other cyclists to compete only on an all-or-nothing basis.

A few days later, the entire national cycling team asked for a meeting with Cojuangco. The riders spoke out as one, saying the team would stick and band together – all for one, one for all. Bitbit joined the meeting.

Cojuangco said since the 11 unlicensed athletes were not provided benefits by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the POC gave a one-time allowance of $300 each and Bitbit also got her share.

“I didn’t hear her complain,” said Cojuangco. “Then, I found out later she wanted to compete after all, seeking help from all sorts of people, including POC officials, to reinstate her. Apparently, she changed her mind. But it was too late. The SEA Games organizing committee had decided to ban the entire team, including Bitbit.”

Cojuangco said Tolentino cost the Philippines at least three gold medals and the opportunity for the cyclists to earn a windfall of cash incentives. He added that Tolentino missed the chance of setting aside politics and putting national interest above all.

As for Bitbit’s claim in a recent TV interview that she was intimidated by the POC into withdrawing, Cojuangco said there was no coercion whatsoever. But he remarked that Bitbit couldn’t be a credible source because she changes her stories depending on whom she’s talking to. It was Cojuangco’s impression that Bitbit withdrew on her own after being enlightened on the POC’s opinion.

Except for Bitbit, Cojuangco said the Filipino athletes in Laos are in high spirits, working hard and supporting each other.

“The mood is upbeat,” he continued. “There is no distinction between a PSC athlete or a POC athlete. We’re in this together. I’m very pleased with the attitude shown by our athletes. They make us feel proud. They’re competing admirably and they’re helping each other out.”

Cojuangco said the sense of unity was evident when the Philippine delegation assembled for Mass on the day of obligation last Dec. 8 and last Sunday.

“The one and only Catholic priest in Vientiane came over to celebrate Mass at the village for us on the feast of Immaculate Conception then a Filipino priest drove all the way from Bangkok for Mass last Sunday,” said Cojuangco. “The delegation was like an instant choir during Mass.”

Cojuangco said a priority for the future is providing financial assistance for more Filipinos to be licensed as judges, referees and officials.

“I noticed that in several subjective events, we’re not getting a fair shake,” said Cojuangco. “For instance, we missed out on two golds in diving because of subjective judging.”

Cojuangco said when the delegation returns to Manila, the POC will determine which particular areas to improve on. Establishing more Filipino presence in the management, supervision and officiating of different sports in international competitions will be seriously considered.