RP riders hope to get UCI nod in Laos SEA Games

The fate of the 12-member Philippine cycling team to compete in the 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Vientiane, Laos now lies in the hands of the International Cycling Union (UCI), the world governing body for the sport. On Monday, the entire Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) endorsed the country’s appeal to allow the 12 Filipino riders to compete in the biennial meet, giving a ray of hope that the Filipino riders will be able to see action in the biennial meet.

The appeal letter had already been sent to the UCI headquarters in Laussane, Switzerland and addressed to president Pat McQuaid, hoping that a decision be made before cycling competitions start on Dec. 10. Members of the 13-member team are Irish Valenzuela, Alfie Catalan, Jan Paul Morales, Eusebio Quinones, Frederick Feliciano, Joey Barba, March McQuin Aleonar, Marites Bitbit, Alvin Benosa, Scott Remie, Ana Marissa Remigio, Julius Mark Bonzo and Ronald Gorantes. Go Teng Kok, head of the Philippine committee on rules and sports to the SEAG, threatened to make drastic action in the event the UCI turned down the appeal. "Kapag hindi pumayag ang UCI, then I can say, something is cooking," said Go, who declared he’ll be going to file a case both to the SEAGF and Manila to declare McQuaid a persona non-grata, together with the other official whom the UCI recognized as president of the country’s cycling body. "I hate to say it, but what they’re doing smacks of monkey business," added Go. Two groups had been contesting the Philippine cycling leadership, one of which has the blessings of the UCI and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the other, recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). UCI had earlier declared only riders with duly-accredited licenses issued by the body would be allowed to participate in the SEA Games. Of the 12, Bitbit is the only one that has the approval of both cycling groups. Bitbit topped the women’s individual road race in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand two years ago, one of four gold medals the Filipino riders won along with those of Catalan (men’s individual pursuit), Barba (men’s downhill) and Victor Espiritu (men’s point race). But Go believes the UCI will eventually relent to the SEAGF’s request and grant the RP team temporary licenses. "Mahirap isa-walang bahala ang show of support ng 11 (SEAG) member countries, whose combined populace are all supporting the 25th SEA Games," Go said. "Besides, the UCI should also support Laos, which is spending a lot of time, effort and money to host these games for the first time. Also, the UCI has this responsibility to its members and could do that by allowing cycling to go on here with the full compliment of able cyclists who all trained long and hard for these games." – GMANews.TV