After unified trials, POC
wants unified cycling group

By Trina Ibarle-Orquiza

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. yesterday called on the two groups disputing leadership in cycling to come up with a revised set of by-laws they should use in unifying the sport.

Cojuangco issued the call during the Usapang POC radio show on Sports Radio, days after the unified cycling trials that determined the cyclists who will represent the country in the Guangzhou Asian Games in December.

"Tutal, nagkasundo na ang dalawang grupo, bakit hindi pa ninyo ayusin ‘yan. Ayusin ang constitution and by-laws and register with the SEC," Cojuangco said.

The two groups, one led by Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino, and the other, formerly led by Col. Arnold Taberdo, agreed to hold the unified trials to pave the way for the participation of local cyclists in the Asiad.

Taberdo lost the presidency of the other group recently, with his post now occupied by former Philippine Sports Commission chief Philip Ella Juico.

The two groups still need to find a common ground in terms of leadership and governing rules.

Tolentino has the backing of the Union Cycliste International, the international federation of cycling, but his election was not recognized by the POC because no POC representative was present during the elections.

Cojuangco, meanwhile, took a jab at the group now headed by Juico, saying: "I told Juico na siya na ang pang-apat na president ng cycling in one year. Hindi puwedeng ganyan ang mangyari."

Rolando Hiso was initially elected as the president of the other group but was eventually replaced by businessman Mikee Romero, who resigned after the Laos Southeast Asian Games last year. His place was later taken over by Taberdo.

"We have to establish by-laws para hindi papalit-palit ng presidente," Cojuangco added.

A total of 19 cyclists, led by Merculio Ramos, Baler Ravina, and Maritess Bitbit, clinched Asian slots in the unified trials.

Joey Romasanta, a POC official who will be the country’s chief of mission in Guangzhou, said he had talked to officials of both groups, claiming they have expressed willingness to work out a compromise.

"Open si Bambol na magka-ayos ayos lahat," Romasanta said.

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