Asian cycling exec: Only riders endorsed by Tolentino can play

MANILA, Philippines - The Asian Cycling Confederation has endorsed the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCyling) under the leadership of Abraham Tolentino as the legitimate local body that can issue licenses and send cyclists to international competitions. PhilCycling is currently embroiled in a leadership dispute with the group of Tagaytay City Mayor Tolentino on one hand and the faction headed by businessman Mikee Romero on the other. Tolentino enjoys recognition from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for cycling, and ACC, the authority for Asia. However, Romero’s faction has the blessing of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). To avoid confusion, ACC president Hee Wook Cho has advised officials, commissaries, and organizers of Asian championships, regional games and Asian Tours to accommodate only the Philippine entries with licenses signed by UCI- and ACC-recognized Tolentino. This practically slammed the door on the riders Romero and his group intend to send to cycling meets, including the Southeast Asian Games. Cho’s instruction was contained in a recent communication to 2009 Asian Indoor Cycling Championships organizer Leung SikWah; 2009 Asian Cycling Championships organizer Sofian Ruzian, 2009 Asian MTB Championships organizer and ACC vice president Abu Samah Wahab, and 2009 SEA Games cycling competition organizer and Laos Cycling Federation president Villaysouk Phimmasone. In his letter, Cho urged cycling officials and organizers to "make sure that the only organization recognized by the UCI and ACC in matter of licenses is ICFP under President Tolentino." He told them to "ensure that they will supervise and verify in an accurate manner the Philippine riders' and officials' licenses and make sure that they can come from the ICFP (PhilCycling) only. All other riders and officials without licenses signed by Mr. Tolentino will not be allowed to compete at the above-mentioned cycling events.’’ The ACC’s letter was in consonance with the UCI’s earlier communication sent out by Commissaire Coordinator Virginnie Vannay to Asian cycling officials. “Only the licenses delivered by PhilCycling (ICFP) must be accepted. We kindly ask you to be vigilant while doing the control," Vannay wrote. – GMANews.TV