THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) required the Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. (PSFI) to produce a medal in any international events to be recognized as its member.
Davao City-based PSFI secretary-general Paolo Tancontian bared this during an interview with SunStar Davao on February 10.
Tancontian said PSFI vice president Paolo Agustin Claudio, along with her daughter Sydney Tancontian, visited the POC last February 9 and discussed with the first vice president Jose Romasanta who advised them to produce medals from any international events before they will recognize their sport.
“Humingi sila ng medal sa amin before nila i-recognize at i-endorse ang sport as regular member ng POC (They asked for a medal from us before they will recognize and endorse the sport as regular member of the POC),” said Tancontian who has been seeking financial assistance from the private sector Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to fund the athletes who will compete abroad.
PSIF President Pedro Quitain III, for his part, said he will coordinate with PSC chairman William Ramirez in March to ask support considering that Sambo will be included in the Asian Games in 2018.
Quitain also wants to fast track the POC recognition as they are eyeing two international competitions including the 2017 Indoor Martial Arts in Russia where Sambo originated.
He also said that they are continuously promoting the sport across the country via a road show called SamboKon.
“If plans push through, we will be in Tagum on February 19,” Quitain said.