INQUIRER Sports

UNABLE TO GET THE PHILIPPINE Sports Commission to finance a big delegation, the Philippine Olympic Committee has decided to withdraw from the 3rd Asian Indoor Games set Oct. 28-Nov. 8 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

POC deputy secretary-general Mark Joseph said the POC came up with a resolution scrapping the country’s participation after the PSC said it could only finance 22 athletes and eight officials for nine disciplines.

“Under the present conditions, we can’t participate (in the AIG),” said Joseph in the radio program “Usapang POC” aired over DZSR918 yesterday. “We cannot tolerate government intervention in the selection of athletes and discrimination of athletes and other sports.”

The POC had submitted a delegation of 160 athletes and 78 officials in 19 sports, which the PSC immediately turned down.

“If they want to pull out, fine. However, I don’t want to disappoint the athletes. I will talk to the athletes and tell them that the PSC will continue supporting them,” said PSC chair Harry Angping, who is set to meet the AIG-bound athletes today.

Angping, who served as chef de mission during the first AIG three years ago, noted that the PSC doesn’t normally bankroll the delegation to AIG and that the POC usually sends a token contingent.

Sources said Joseph resented the removal of the swimming team and the inclusion of shuttlecock as one of the sports in the delegation instead of providing slots to other Olympic disciplines.