PSC, Patafa at odds over track coaches

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) are about to lock horns over two national coaches.

PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez has asked the PSC board to stop the allowances of coaches Joseph Sy and Roselyn Hamero, citing negligence, “bata-bata” system and falsification of athletes’ records, among other infractions.

Patafa president Go Teng Kok, meanwhile, countered the accusations, saying Gomez bears a personal grudge against the association.

In a memorandum issued by his office, Gomez said Hamero allegedly falsified the performance of hurdler Josie Malacad to disqualify her from the national team.

The memo said Hamero claimed that the discrepancy in Malacad’s records were due to “typographical error.”

The commissioner also accused Hamero of “exaggerating” the records of Christopher Ulboc and Isidro del Prado Jr., to make them eligible for the PH squad.

It said Hamero prefers athletes from Far Eastern University where she is reportedly connected.

But Go fired back by saying Gomez was taking things too personal because he refused to sack Sy, Hamero and another coach Ojon Artiaga like the commissioner requested.

“He (Gomez) wanted to put the American as head coach and I said no, he can be a consultant but not head coach,” said Go referring to Ryan Flaherty.

He added that PSC has no power over a national sports association like the Patafa. Sy and Hamero receive P20,000 monthly from the PSC.