It's Tolentino who is 'unpatriotic', says POC chief Cojuangco
12/18/2009 | 10:36 PM
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping" Cojuangco turned the tables on his accusers saying it was the group of Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) head Abraham “Bambol" Tolentino who is unpatriotic.
PhilCycling executive director Jojo Villa labeled Cojuangco and other POC officials “unpatriotic" for asking gold medal contender Marites Bitbit to drop out from competing in the 25th Laos Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Vientiane.
Bitbit withdrew from her three events after 12 other riders were banned from competing by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after failing to get the needed licenses.
Cojuangco said he was surprised that Bitbit had a different version of what happened in the Vientiane.
“We asked one rider not to compete but (12) other riders were barred to see action because Tolentino refused to give them license. So who is unpatriotic?" asked Cojuangco.
The POC executive board is reportedly planning of slapping a sanction on Tolentino, also the secretary general of the chess, once they meet early next year.
The SEAG Federation even appealed to UCI president Pat McQuaid of allowing the national cycling team to compete.
“The SEA Games Federation has sympathized with us and help us convince UCI president Pat McQuaid. But his response was to talk to Tolentino which the SEAGF did. But he refused because he wants the POC to be the one to talk to him and asked for the license," explained Cojuangco.
Cojuangco added that he also talked with Bitbit after being informed that she wanted to compete.
Cojuangco said Bitbit decided to support the decision to pull-out from competition and support her teammates.
The RP cycling team also met with Cojuangco a day after to present a letter supporting the decision. – GMANews.TV
PhilCycling executive director Jojo Villa labeled Cojuangco and other POC officials “unpatriotic" for asking gold medal contender Marites Bitbit to drop out from competing in the 25th Laos Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Vientiane.
Bitbit withdrew from her three events after 12 other riders were banned from competing by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after failing to get the needed licenses.
Cojuangco
Cojuangco said he was surprised that Bitbit had a different version of what happened in the Vientiane.
“We asked one rider not to compete but (12) other riders were barred to see action because Tolentino refused to give them license. So who is unpatriotic?" asked Cojuangco.
The POC executive board is reportedly planning of slapping a sanction on Tolentino, also the secretary general of the chess, once they meet early next year.
The SEAG Federation even appealed to UCI president Pat McQuaid of allowing the national cycling team to compete.
“The SEA Games Federation has sympathized with us and help us convince UCI president Pat McQuaid. But his response was to talk to Tolentino which the SEAGF did. But he refused because he wants the POC to be the one to talk to him and asked for the license," explained Cojuangco.
Cojuangco added that he also talked with Bitbit after being informed that she wanted to compete.
Cojuangco said Bitbit decided to support the decision to pull-out from competition and support her teammates.
The RP cycling team also met with Cojuangco a day after to present a letter supporting the decision. – GMANews.TV
