BY CHRISTINE MONCADA
FORMER Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit yesterday said while
an amendment in the organization’s constitution and by-laws is required by the
International Olympic Committee, a total overhaul, like what incumbent POC chief
Jose Cojuangco Jr. is proposing, is not necessary.
In batting for a charter change, Cojuangco cited the fact the
POC by-laws are not registered with the International Olympic Committee, along
with the constitution of 20 national sports associations.
While NSA officials not allied with Cojuangco view his
proposal for charter change as an attempt to extend his term, he has stressed
his proposal aims not only to reform the structure of the POC but also conform
with the current objectives and programs under the IOC rules and guidelines.
Dayrit, however, begged to disagree.
"That’s not true, we have constitution and bylaws. Otherwise,
we won’t be allowed (to function) nor be recognized as an NOC," Dayrit, who
heads the fencing association, told Malaya in an interview.
Charter change was not tackled during the POC general
assembly at the Milky Way Restaurant in Makati last Wednesday but the body had a
preview of what will soon transpire in the elections set in November.
"It was like the primaries in the US," an NSA official who
requested anonymity said. "The two presidential hopefuls, Cito Dayrit and Robert
Aventajado, shared time on the floor with Cojuangco."
"There are some amendments required by the POC, hindi lang
naman sa atin pero sa lahat din NOCs. There are provisions na gusto ng IOC na
idagdag sa charter or gawing clear to conform with IOC standards. Pero hindi
naman kailangan ng total change.
"There are a lot of things to amend, like the provisions on
anti-doping, and an Olympian athlete must be present during the general
assembly, among others. I’ve discussed it with Mr. Cojuangco as early as 2005
pero wala namang nangyari."
Dayrit, who was at the helm of the POC from 2000 to 2004,
said amending the charter requires the formation of a special committee that
will study and come up with necessary steps.
"A special meeting should be held to discuss this matter and
all national sports associations must be informed," he said.
Cojuangco said he has instructed POC secretary-general Steve
Hontiveros to call for a special general assembly on the second week of February
where all provisions in the POC charter that need immediate attention and
amendment will be presented.
"As early as last year I already presented this charter
change issue before the entire membership. We have to do it now or else we might
be sanctioned by the OIC and prevent us from participating in all IOC-sanctioned
tournaments such as the SEA Games, Asian Games and Olympics," Cojuangco reasoned
out.
"Ang gusto lang naman natin mailagay sa tama ang lahat. We
can’t afford to exist with questionable legality. This has nothing to do with
the coming election," he added.
