Patafa weeds out nonperformers

The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association will get rid of nonperforming coaches and athletes starting next month.

Patafa secretary general Renato Unso yesterday said coaches will be hard hit by the general house cleaning ordered by federation president Philip Ella Juico to bolster the country’s performance in international meets.

“I will explain to them (coaches) that it has to be done for the good of the athletes and the association,” said Unso. “Coaches have signed their termination letters effective July 30.”

Unso said changes have to be made if the national tracksters want to win more medals not only in the Southeast Asian Games, but also in other high-level international tournaments as well.

“Getting terminated doesn’t mean that we have a personal grudge against you. This is an important step to improve the performance of our athletes,” said Unso.

Unso said that those who delivered from the current batch of coaches will be rehired.

Patafa has 13 coaches under the payroll of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Though he refused to give names, Unso said nonperforming athletes would also be cut.

“We will not allow somebody who has been with the team for a long time without any production,’’ said Unso.

“Let’s get young athletes and hire coaches who really deserve to be in the team.”

Unso said the program to form a new coaching staff was hatched late last year but Juico suggested to delay the plan after the recent SEAG in Singapore.