Thursday, February 28, 2008 PSC powerless over sports groups: Uy
THE Philippine Sports Commission feels helpless in the internal squabbles of the National Sports Association (NSA).
PSC executive director Fr. Vic Uy said it is hard to work for the betterment of the athletes when they are still at the mercy of the NSAs.
“As stipulated by law, our powers are only up to providing financial assistance—allowances to trainings and gears to the athletes. Everything else is dictated by the NSAs,” said Uy.
NSAs are under the umbrella organization of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Whichever group and athletes the POC endorses will be recognized by the PSC.
One of the more controversial NSAs right now is the Philippine Cycling Federation, which is being bombarded by allegations of corruption by the members of the bemedalled national cycling team.
Following the petition by national athletes divulging alleged corruption within the Philcycling way before the issues were resolved.
“These are some of out best athletes and this had to happen. It’s frustrating that after all these efforts to uplift our athletes’ lives, we can’t help them because we are only up to giving them financial assistance,” said Uy.
Another group experiencing problems within their ranks is the basketball NSA—Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
There has been a struggle between BAP-SBP and its forerunner BAP because despite having been shunned by Fiba, the international governing body for basketball, BAP still continues to operate, causing a lot of confusion, especially here in Cebu.
“PSC’s stand on the matter is that BAP-SBP is the recognized basketball body. And whoever POC recognizes, we ditto,” Uy said.
Uy wishes the groups to firm up and work to improve the sport and its athletes. (MCB)
