NSAs must toe the line, says GTK

By Julius Manicad

06/14/2009

Leaders of the national sports association (NSA) should start abiding by the policies being implemented by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), including monetary matters.

No less than PSC chairman Harry Angping’s chief critic, Go Teng Kok, has come up with the rponouncements that sports officials should comply with the strict regulations of the PSC if they and their associations are to continue receiving government support for their programs.

The PSC has been batting for the strict compliance by NSAs of the government sports agency’s policies, including the financial assitance extended them, as mandated by the PSC law.

“There’s no point to quarrel with him, he knows what he is doing,” Go said, referring to Angping. “Personally, I really do not want to fight him anymore — it’s useless. He is in charge so why don’t we respect him for his position.”

“And, we, NSA leaders, would never be successful without the government’s support. If we fight him, how long can we last?”

Observers, however, believed Go’s surprising 180-degree turn somewhat posed doubts, as it came after floating recently the possibility of bolting out of the camp of POC chief Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.

Go, who was calling for Angping’s resignation together with Cojuangco months ago, just received fresh support from the PSC after Angping approved their request to send Eduardo Buenavista and Joan Banaya to a marathon tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia despite their subpar records.

PSC records show Buenavista’s performance in the 10,000-kilometer run is down by four minutes compared to his performance in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games while Banaya just maintained her previous SEA Games record, giving both of them nil chance of winning in the upcoming Jakarta joust.

Angping, a well-known disciplinarian even before assuming the top PSC post early this year, stressed that the two long distance runners do not deserve to be supported, but he still approved their request, hoping that they will train hard and win in the 2009 SEA Games in Laos.

He had previously announced that the PSC would no longer finance the travel of sports officials to international competitions, directed the budget to the athletes and recognized some NSAs with international federation recognition that drew the ire of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

He also slapped a POC executive with an estafa case after finding out that he has been collecting the allowance of a non-existing coach, arguably the most daring move by any of the past PSC chairmen.

“I’m calling a spade a spade. It’s either you hate me or you love me,” Angping said in a previous interview.

Go, however, maintains that abiding by Angping’s iron-fisted rules would resolve the bitter deadlock between the PSC and the POC.

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006