Elizalde talks on problems plaguing R.P. Sports in SCOOP
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 Jan 2010
International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Francisco Elizalde yesterday said that, so far, there has not been any intervention on the part of the government in purely affairs of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the national sports associations.
Elizalde, who appeared as guest, along with national shooter Nathaniel ?Tac? Padilla in yesterday?s SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session, said there had been attempts even in the past by government agencies (Philippine Sports Commission at this present time) to mingle with the autonomy of both the POC and NSAs but these cannot be considered as direct intervention.
He clarified though during the forum, sponsored by ACCEL, that these attempts have, in more ways, adversely affected the growth of sports here and brought embarrassment to the country, especially it its participation in international competitions.
Elizalde cited what happened in last year?s 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos where the Philippines was virtually represented by two delegations ? one sanctioned by the PSC and the other by the POC, a situation he described as ?ridiculous.?
?That was ridiculous to say the least. But such was not an extreme situation where the IOC can step in and involved itself by isuing sanction like suspension as in the case of Kuwait,? Elizalde said in reference to that oil-rich country in the Middle East that was suspended indefinitely by the IOC for violation of its charter on government intervention.
Elizalde warned that the current situation here has already reached the IOC headquarters in Laussane, Switzerland based the reactions he has been getting from fellow IOC members who warned him about the situation turning into worse that may force the IOC to intervene and issue sanction against the country.
?No, we?re far from being sanctioned or, worse, suspended. But, definitely, they?re watching us. What is ironic here is that it will not be the PSC that will feel the brunt of the IOC ire but the POC if ever there will be penalty,? he said.
The problem in the country, he assessed, involves personality and political affiliation of the sports leaders.
?While the PSC chairman (former Manila Congressman Harry Angping) belongs to the administration, the POC president (Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco) is with the opposition,? he said. ?This is the reason why there is lack of mutual respect for each other,? he said.
?The relationship between the Olympic Movement, public bodies and governments, as well as those between all national organizations belonging to the Olympic Movement and their respective governments, should be based on the principle of respect and cooperation,? Elizalde stressed.
?This is what is lacking in our situation here. The PSC is ignoring the POC existence as it goes into the extent of setting up a parallel body. The POC, on the other hand, is working hard to have the chairman of ther PSC removed from his position. Everything depends on the leaders? human nature,? he lamented.
Another reason, he said, why the present situation is hard to solve even in the near future.
?How can you solve the problem when everybody is going to court suing each other? he asked.
Elizalde warned though that the present situation can turn to worse, if for instance, a threat from the PSC to dismantle the national training pools without consulting the NSAs concerned materializes.
?If that happens, that will constitute government intervention for it encroaches on the prerogatives of the NSAs to form their respective teams, a responsibility that does not belong to the PSC,? he warned. ?A clear violation of the IOC rules.?
(Eddie G. Alinea writes for the PHILIPPINE GAZETTE)
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