Unified race may solve cycling row

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Olympic Committee has offered a solution to the problem that has threatened the country’s participation in the cycling competitions of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou in November.

It may be temporary, said RP Team chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta yesterday, but what’s important is for the two warring factions within the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines to see the light.

Romasanta called on the two factions to agree on holding a unified tournament and determine which riders, regardless of which side they’re on, can represent the country and vie for the gold in the Asian Games.

“I can’t imagine anybody saying no to this,” Romasanta told the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue.

The former head of the Project Gintong Alay said they’re drafting a letter to be submitted to the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world’s governing body in the sport, to inform them of the POC proposal.

“Maybe the UCI can supervise the tournament, and at least for the Asian Games it can have a resolution to allow our cyclists to compete despite the ongoing leadership problem at PhilCycling,” said Romasanta.

“We all know what happened in Laos,” said Romasanta, referring to the 2009 SEA Games where 13 Filipino cyclists, despite their strong medal chances, were barred from competing because they didn’t have the UCI license.

One group is counting on the recognition of the POC while the other faction enjoys the support and recognition of the international cycling federation.

“Maybe we can have these two groups hold a unification tournament so we can determine the cyclists who will qualify to the Asian Games. We are appealing to both cycling groups,” said the RP chef-de-mission.

Romasanta said one group has already agreed to the POC proposal, and said he can see no reason why the other won’t agree to it, considering that the Asian Games is just six months away.

“I hope they can set aside their differences and deal with their leadership problem after the Asian Games,” he said. “Then they can deal with their leadership problem after the Games.”

Meanwhile, Romasanta said the POC working committee for the coming Asian Games is finalizing the number of Filipino athletes that will vie in the quadrennial event. The deadline for submission of the entry by number is on June 11.

He appealed to the different national sports associations that will represent the country to submit the requirements, including the travel documents of their athletes, on time or face the consequence of being left behind.