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Tuesday, July 25, 2006
No troops team in Asian Games?
The ongoing fracas between the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the basketball national sports association (NSA) leads the Philippines to skip yet another international meet.
Chances that a basketball team will be sent to the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar remains bleak, since the indefinite suspension of the Basketball Association of the Philippines has not been lifted yet.
The RP team failed to defend its title and even stage a basketball event in the 23rd SEA Games, which the country hosted last year after the POC, the umbrella organization of all NSAs, suspended BAP. This led Fiba, the international governing body of basketball, to ban the country from joining Fiba-sanctioned international events.
It also failed to defend the 2005 Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championships title.
Philippine Sports Commission head William "Butch" Ramirez expressed his disappointment over the disagreement between the two bodies, when in his opinion, the issue could be resolved over a cup of coffee.
Sacrifice
"Both parties claim that they are right. But if they are both right, how come they are still disagreeing and still, the country is not sending a team to the Asiad," Ramirez said.
Ramirez added that if only the leaders are willing let their guards down could have been long resolved.
"If only they are willing to sacrifice for the nation.
Ramirez also expressed his dismay that the Philippines could no longer participate in international basketball events and recalled the time of Caloy Loyzaga, when Filipinos are named into the mythical five in the Asian Games.
Not far behind
"Sayang because if we check our history, we are not that far behind in the world. Even if we lose, maganda ang laban," he said.
It is only four months before the Asian Games start and there are still hopes that the suspension will be lifted and the country will still be represented in the basketball event of the sporting meet.
"If the suspension will be revoked, I could not tell yet if we are ready to send a team or not," Ramirez said.
Ramirez, being the chief of delegates in the Asiad is hoping to snare at least five gold medals from wushu, taekwondo, boxing, archery, billiards, rowing and equestrian — the events, that he feels Filipinos are strong in. The Asian Games start on Dec. 1 -15 in Qatar. (MCB)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 25, 2006 issue)
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