Respect NSAs full autonomy – Lopez

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Olympic Committee exists because of the national sports associations (NSAs) and not the other way around, hence the autonomy of the NSAs should be respected in earnest.

POC first vice president Manny Lopez pointed this out yesterday, warning that the state of the country’s sports stands to remain stagnant unless the NSAs are given full autonomy to run their organizations.

“It is the NSA that is responsible for its activities including the performance of its athletes and accountable also for the results of and the returns on the PSC financial assistance given to them (NSAs),” said Lopez.

Lopez is seeking the same post again during the POC election on Nov. 30 under a group batting for massive reforms and changes in the country’s Olympic body.

With Lopez in the group are weightlifting’s Monico Puentevella who is running for the chairmanship, cycling’s Bambol Tolentino (for 2nd vice president), squash’s Romy Ribano (for treasurer), golf’s Jun Galindez (for auditor), and fencing’s lawyer Toto Africa, volleyball’s Gener Dungo, and baseball’s Hector Navasero (for board members).

At the head of other group is the third term-seeking Jose “Peping” Cojuangco who will be challenged by Go Teng Kok of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association.

With Cojuangco are triathlon’s Tom Carrasco (for chairman), soft tennis’s Jeff Tamayao (for 2nd vice president), karatedo’s Joey Romasanta (1st vice president), wushu’s Julian Camacho (treasurer), chess’ Prospero Pichay (auditor), with Cynthia Carreon of gymnastics, Jonnie Go of canoe-kayak, Dave Carter of judo and Ernesto Echauz seeking seats in the POC executive board.

According to Lopez, respect for NSA is one of the four salient concerns that their group intends to prioritize if given a chance to get into the POC, whose tattered leadership had been grossly blamed for the country’s string of debacles in international competitions.

The POC, Lopez added, will give priority to propagating “Olympism”, put in place a “Sports by All” program, and pay special attention to the development of coaches, who he said, have direct communication with the athletes.

Lopez noted that the country drew criticism both here and abroad after the Philippines failed to field in bets in several fronts in the Southeast Asian Games because of the NSA problems which the POC failed to resolve.

The group, Lopez stressed, believes that the POC should not interfere in the affairs of an NSA, especially in the election of its officers, and in other operations and activities related to its training programs.

“As long as the NSA does not contravene provisions of the Olympic Charter or of the POC Constitution & By-Laws, the POC must stay away,” Lopez said.