POC calls for good governance

MANILA, Philippines - POC first vice president Joey Romasanta yesterday called on National Sports Association (NSA) officials to be fair and democratic in involving the major stakeholders of their sports as stipulated by the IOC’s policy of good governance.

Romasanta said POC president Jose Cojuangco’s marching orders are to look into the backyard of every NSA and review the Constitution and By-Laws, as registered with the SEC, in determining compliance. No NSA will be spared in the process. A primary concern is when an NSA has not conducted a POC-sanctioned election within a stipulated period and is sustaining a “holdover” administration.

Romasanta cited the case of softball where there was a failure of elections. “They’ve asked for a holdover period of two years,” he said. “No such thing. The allowable period is 60 days. The POC must witness the election and attest to its legitimacy. If there is a deficiency on the NSA’s part, then it must be addressed. The IOC demands a fair and democratic election involving as many stakeholders as possible. The POC demands the same of every NSA. Elections are a tool to manage and govern, an administrative incidental. The primary concern of an NSA is the sport it governs, not the officers, not the Board. It is a disservice to the sport if an NSA exists to cater to officers. Every sport needs a hero to create a bandwagon effect. Our goal must be to develop and promote sports. That’s why in some sports with a small playing population but with the potential to excel, we are encouraging the participation of developmental athletes in international competitions like the Southeast Asian Games.”

Romasanta said volleyball is another problem with the POC taking over the NSA as prompted by the International Volleyball Federation and the Asian Volleyball Confederation. “The NSA is dysfunctional,” he said. “The international federation itself wants the POC to appoint the members of the new Board but it’s not that easy. So far, the POC has taken over the formation of the national women’s team. If a new NSA will be formed, its Constitution and By-Laws must be registered with the SEC and recognized by the POC. There must be mutual recognition by the POC and international federation. Before applying for recognition by the international federation, there must be POC sanction. At the same time, the POC needs the go-signal of the international federation for its sanction. So this requires close coordination between the POC and international federation.”

Romasanta said an NSA that does not conform to the policy of good governance may lose its membership with the POC. “If it comes to a head, the NSA will not be allowed to vote in the POC General Assembly as a regular member and will be deprived of receiving financial assistance from the PSC,” he continued. “The COA has instructed the PSC not to disburse funds to NSAs without clearance from the POC. An NSA that does not conform to what is stipulated in its Constitution and By-Laws will also not be eligible to receive the P50,000 annual subsidy from the POC for administrative expenses. We want to be fair to everybody. There must be uniform compliance across the board.”

Romasanta disclosed that the other day, a group representing the Philippine Squash Academy (PSA) went to the POC office to ask for recognition. The group was made up of Bobby Bachmann, Dondi Verano and Vince Abad Santos. The POC, however, recognizes the Squash Rackets Association of the Philippines (SRAP) as the NSA.

“The POC cannot recognize two NSAs for one sport,” said Romasanta. “If the PSA wants to be recognized, it must affiliate with the SRAP. From our records, we found out that the SRAP’s original Constitution and By-Laws go back to 1985 but a new Constitution and By-Laws were registered in 2009. One of the 2009 provisions is to hold an annual election, presumably to rotate the officers. We understand the SRAP held elections last year but there was no POC observer.”