Karate national pool in limbo until midyear

MANILA, Philippines - The Filipino karatekas’ actual preparations for the Southeast Asian Games will have to wait until middle of the year as the Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF) plans to start on a clean slate with regards to its national pool.

According to Joey Romasanta, who was declared interim PKF president by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) pending a new election in two months’ time, the federation will conduct tryouts for the Phl pool during the P-Noy National Games in May.

“Our current national pool is still the one formed for the (2010) Asian Games. We have to create another pool for the SEA Games,” said Romasanta who has directed the PKF’s technical officials to draw up criteria for the selection process to be held in the May 23-29 PNG in Negros Occidental.

“Our tryouts will be open to all clubs and karate enthusiasts. This is in keeping with the thrust of the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) on non-seeding and earnest selection of fresh talents,” Romasanta added.

Phl karatekas will be looking to match or surpass their one-gold, two-silver, three-bronze performance in the last SEA Games in Laos.

The PKF is one of the national sports associations (NSAs) beset with leadership dispute, with Romasanta on one hand and previous president Go Teng Kok on the other. Go, also the athletics brass, has been ousted by the PKF board for violating the federation’s charter, which bars its leader from heading two NSAs.

Due to the squabble, the PSC has put on hold the government’s budget allocation for the PKF.

Last week, the POC named Romasanta acting chief and ordered a voting in May coinciding with PKF’s P-Noy Games tournament. In effect, he can now negotiate with the PSC for the PKF’s financial assistance and matters regarding the national team.