PFBB warns of new group's takeover bid

MANILA, Philippines - This early, the Philippine Federation of Bodybuilders (PFBB) has raised the alarm regarding the possible formation of a new organization that may try to take its place as the country’s rightful representative in the sport.

Sonny Lim, long-time head of the PFBB, yesterday said he got word that a new group headed by PFBB secretary-general Corina Mojica has apparently made early representations with the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB).

The problem, Lim said, is that the IFBB is no longer the international federation affiliated with the International Olympic Committee nor the Olympic Council of Asia. Lim said this is the primary reason why the PBFF has cut its ties with the IFBB.

“And so, we moved on and joined the World Bodybuilding and Physique Fitness Sports Federation (WBPF) which is now the one being recognized by OCA and therefore, indirectly, recognized by the IOC,” said Lim, PBFF head since 2001.

Mojica is also the auditor of the Philippine Olympic Committee, and once her group is formed, Lim said Mojica might try to win the recognition of the POC. Presently, however, Lim said it’s still his group being recognized by the POC.

Jose Cojuangco, POC president, is aware of the situation even before he left for the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

“Magulo nga sa bodybuilding (There’s trouble in bodybuilding,” said Cojuangco, hinting of the presence of two international federations grappling for affiliation with the IOC and the OCA.

Cojuangco said the POC will be careful in dealing with the situation because the RP bodybuilding association might end up siding with the international federation not duly recognized (affiliated) by either IOC or OCA.

Lim said a serious problem he’s trying to avert concerns the Philippine participation in the second Asian Beach Games in Muscat, Oman in December.

The organizers of this year’s Asian Beach Games have already issued a circular, dated last March 21, saying it will only coordinate and transact with Asian Federations recognized by OCA, and in this case it’s the PBFF.

“The PFBB, our federation, is the one being recognized by the WPSF and the ABBF (Asian Bodybuilding Federation). And if they go and form a new group in our country, tying up with the IFBB will only cause more problems for our sport,” said Lim.

He feared that a repetition of the cycling incident in the 2009 Laos SEA Games where 13 Filipino cyclists, a couple of them with strong chances of winning the gold medals, were barred from competing.

There are two groups contesting the leadership in Philippine cycling, and the 13 RP cyclists happened to be affiliated with the one recognized by the POC but not by the international federation.

“There could be a repetition of that incident in the Asian Beach Games,” said Lim.