Elizalde tells PSC: Go easy on RP pool

MANILA, Philippines - Frank Elizalde, the International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines, yesterday said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping has yet to cross the thin red line between government support and government intervention.

“I cannot say there’s been any categorical violation. There’s been no open and direct violation but the threat is toward the violation with regards to the selection of the national team,” said Elizalde during yesterday’s Scoop sa Kamayan Forum.

Angping, barely in his first year as PSC chairman, has faced criticisms from top officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee headed by Jose Cojuangco Jr. regarding his alleged intervention in the affairs of the various national sports associations (NSAs).

After the Laos SEA Games last December, Angping called for the disbandment of the national pool to give way to a new batch of younger, more promising, more dedicated athletes, but without meaning that the good, old ones would have to go.

The POC and some NSAs also went up in arms with the selection of the athletes that went to Laos because the PSC had set up its own criteria. This led to two different RP delegations to Laos, one supported by the PSC and the other one by the POC.

Elizalde said the Olympic charter strongly dictates against government intervention, and that in this case, the POC and the NSAs shall maintain its “autonomous character” especially when it comes to the selection of the national athletes.

Elizalde said when the IOC deals with cases of government intervention it can level suspension on the NOCs (National Olympic Committees) such as the POC. He cited Kuwait as the latest example, having been suspended by the IOC due to government intervention.

But the respected IOC official said the Philippines has yet to court suspension from the IOC like Kuwait.

“Have there been any violations here? Well, it’s not that easy to specify but you might call them attempts. I’ve already asked some of my administrator friends from the IOC and was told that they have more serious problems than the Philippines,” he said.

“But I was also told to be a little careful and not let this thing get out of hand.”

The PSC is a government agency and its funding arm for sports. Through the government’s National Sports Development Fund, the PSC feeds the close to 40 NSAs and spends for the athletes’ basic needs, including allowances, board and lodging, equipment and training.

“There are 205 NOCs under the IOC and so there are 205 versions of government intervention,” said Elizalde, adding that the NSAs can receive as much help, financial help, from the PSC but not allow themselves from being dictated upon.

Presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro recently sat down with members of the sports media, and when asked about the problem of government intervention in sports, he responded in a very simple manner.

“It’s a simple question (to NSAs): Do you want government help or not? If you want government help then that’s government intervention. There’s that string attached. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too,” said Teodoro.