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Wushu athletes forcing Camacho ouster

By Julius Manicad

04/14/2009

A manifesto bearing the signatures of the country’s finest wushu artists yesterday supported the change in leadership of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP). The athletes said they no longer recognize Julian Camacho WFP president.

In a three-page document sent to the Tribune via electronic mail, athletes and coaches in the National Wushu Training Center (NWTC) pledged support to their newly-elected set of officers, led by its president Tai Lian, chairman David Yong and executive vice-president Edwin Pimentel, a testament that they no longer recognize Camacho, who also sits as treasurer of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Doha Asian Games gold medalist Rene Catalan, Beijing Olympics silver medalist Marianne Mariano and Bangkok Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist Daniel Parantac were some of the prominent signatories in the manifesto along with 35 other wushu artists. Olympic gold medalist Willie Wang and Benjie Rivera did not affix their signatures, but are said to be sympathetic to the group.

The manifesto will be forwarded to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) anytime this week.

The International Wushu Federation (IWF) and Wushu Federation of Asia (WFA), through WFA president Yu Zaiking, has recognized the new WFP administration. PSC Chairman Harry Angping stressed that groups empowered by the recognition from their respective international federations will automatically gain the PSC’s support.

“We, the national wushu team athletes, coaches and students pledge our loyalty and support to the newly-elected officers under the administration of chairman David Yang, president Tai Lian and executive vice-president Edwin Pimentel,” the group said in the handwritten manifesto.

Others who signed were Eunice Ong, Artemio Montes, Walther Sy, Katherine Roxas, April Lim, Naiyan Ladyong, Peter Quina, Toni Josue, Patricia Martinez, Roy Emmanuel Cruz, Jason Domingo, Jenifer Lagilad, Mark Ediva, Denver Labrador, Joel Amurao, Kevin Belingon and Jazor Ablasi.

Camacho, one of the embattled members of the POC executive committee, is said to be calling an election to counter the polls staged by the breakaway group.

Camacho is said to be contemplating on seeking another term, something which he strongly confirmed, saying that he will only step down “as soon as everything is in order.”

He also put the PSC chief in the eye of the storm, stressing that Pimentel and his brother, national mentor Lester, are nephews of Angping.

“The PSC may be behind it,” Camacho said. “Those athletes (and coaches) were threatened that they would be dropped if they refuse to cooperate. But they already apologized (to me) during the Holy Week and are ready to sign an affidavit to deny their involvement in the manifesto.”

“This is just another dirty trick facilitated by the Pimentel brothers and the PSC. As far as the POC is concerned, I am still the wushu president.”

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