Monday, January 14, 2008 Cayetano calls on NSA presidents to quit By Romy Sabaldan
SENATOR Pia Cayetano on Friday called on all National Sports Associations (NSA) presidents to resign, calling the NSAs the breeding grounds for the personal interest of their officials instead of a breeding ground for trained athletes,
Cayetano made the call during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-Southern Mindanao), saying that those who do not have the best interest of athletes in mind have no business staying in their present positions.
The lady senator, however, did not mention any names or an NSA in particular, but indicated that most problems aired by athletes whom she is directly in contact with involve many of the NSAs.
Cayetano, who is an avid practitioner in triathlon, said she was with the Philippine delegation in the 2007 South East Asian Games in Thailand and their performance had gone so bad.
She noted that Philippine sports today is suffering because many of the NSAs are politicized.
Cayetano also said Filipino athletes cannot excel in international competition with only three months of practice.
"Athletic training is a continuing process," she added.
With all her tirades, Cayetano spared the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), saying most problems come from the NSAs themselves.
"I only have great respect for PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez, napakabait na tao yan," Cayetano said.
