Juico sees POC nod as new athletics head

MANILA, Philippines - Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Philip Ella Juico was formally elected president of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association  yesterday and vowed to firm up its leadership to have a “national presence”for the athletics body.

Juico talked about his plans for the association, which is expected to get full recognition from the Philippine Olympic Committee after POC first vice president Joey Romasanta personally came to their election as observer.

“We are now setting up the different committees required. And we will have to appoint the vice presidents and the regional directors, so that we will have a national presence,” said Juico.

Juico discussed plans to overhaul the structural setup of the association during the board meeting and general assembly held yesterday morning at the Orchid Suites in Vito Cruz, Manila.

Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez was named chairman, while Nicanor Sering was voted the vice president and Lucy Artiaga, treasurer. Maricor Pacheco took the post as treasurer and Jeanette Obiena was named auditor.

Go Teng Kok, who Juico succeeded as president, was named in the nine-man board of directors, with Benjamin Espiritu, Agapito Capistrano, Dato Yusuph Nana, Felix Tiukinhoy, Cai Yong Bang, Chan Teng Young, Chua Pio and Misamis Oriental Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

Later, Renato Unso was retained as secretary general, while Atty. Aldrin Cabiles took the post as legal counsel. Edward Kho was tasked with the PR and marketing affairs.

Juico also discussed the proposal to change the name of the association from Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association to Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association. He said they plan to drop the word amateur, since the PATAFA will not just deal with collegiate athletes, but with professional and semi-pro athletes as well.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, added Juico, has accepted their invitation to be a member, with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines soon to follow suit after talks with UAAP secretary-treasurer Rodrigo Roque.