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Thursday, July 28, 2005
POC approves membership of hoops group
By Frank C. Calapre
Sun.Star Correspondent
MANILA – The Philippine Olympic Committee yesterday turned down in finality the appeal for reconsideration of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and accepted the newly-formed Philippine Basketball Federation Inc. (PBFI) as its newest member.
The PBFI’s acceptance came on condition that it will be recognized by the International Basketball Federation (Fiba), something POC president Jose Cojuangco is confident will happen soon.
General assembly
“We approved the application of the PBFI subject to the condition that they will be approved by the Fiba,” said Cojuangco after the POC regular general assembly yesterday at Café J in Makati City.
“The constitution of the Fiba is clear that an NSA (national sports association) should be recognized by the national Olympic committee.”
POC membership committee chairman Rep. Monico Puentevella filed a motion to accept the PBFI as regular member, and was seconded by both sepak takraw head Mariano Tangchanco and table tennis czar Vic Balbuena.
PBFI president Mauricio “Moying” Martelino, once a member of the Fiba Central Board during his tenure as Fiba-Asia secretary-general from 1987 to 1996, said they would immediately submit the needed documents to the Fiba.
Plans
Martelino refused to divulge the PBFI’s other plans, even the formation of the RP national team for the forthcoming 23rd Southeast Asian Games (Seag), until such time the Fiba recognizes them.
“I still know some people in the Fiba, including secretary-general Patrick Baumann, who was then a promising legal counsel of the world basketball body,” said Martelino, who was also secretary-general of the BAP for 10 years during the reign of Lito Puyat.
Martelino also expressed confidence the PBFI can successfully host the basketball event of the Seag after organizing the World Basketball Championship in 1978.
The 70-year-old Martelino was also BAP secretary-general when the county hosted the Seag for the first time in 1981.
He said the chances of getting the Fiba recognition is very high because even current Fiba President Carl Menky Ching was the Fiba-Asia head when he was secretary-general.
“I also worked closely with the now Fiba-Asia president Shiek Saud Ali Al-Thani of Qatar because he was then NOC secretary-general when I was hired by their government as consultant from 1989 to 1992.”
(July 28, 2005 issue)
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