Cojuangco urges other NSAs to unite

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco yesterday called on the other national sports associations (NSAs) embroiled with leadership disputes to find a lasting solution to their problems.

“I want these leaders to think of their members and the betterment of their sport, and make the sacrifice,” said Cojuangco who cited the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines or Philcycling as a perfect example.

After years of discord and disunity within the association, the leaders of the two factions within Philcycling finally smoked the peace pipe, and last Tuesday held a unified election witnessed by Cojuangco himself.

Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino remained as Philcycling president while former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Philip Ella Juico was named vice president.

“There was no exception, everybody was very happy after the elections. Kaya yung ibang NSAs na ang leaders ay naglalaban-laban pa, mag-sacrifice na sila sa ikagaganda ng sport nila,” said Cojuangco.

Cojuangco did not identify the other troubled NSAs although he must be referring to billiards and table tennis. There used to be more, including archery, basketball, karatedo, wrestling and wushu, but in time, the problems were solved.

“I’m proud to say na madami na din ang naayos. And with what happened in cycling, I’m very, very happy,” added Cojuangco.

Juico, who contested the cycling leadership with Tolentino, said figuring in leadership disputes in sports, when the country is facing bigger problems, is just a waste of time.

“So, I’m relieved that unification (in cycling) has been achieved. This is a victory for the POC, for Philcycling, for sports. This is a win-win situation. And also a victory for humility and patience,” said Juico.

“We cannot afford disunity under President Noynoy Aquino. It’s a shame that we cannot solve our problems in sports, in cycling when the country has bigger problems on hand,” he added.

“This is a great starting point of Philcycling,” said Tolentino, the mayor of Tagaytay City.