Karatedo execs claim athletes’ money was spent in Germany

Top karatedo officials shed light Wednesday on the allegations that some members of the national karatedo team did not receive the full amount allowance due them during their training camp in Germany.

Philippine Karatedo Federation president Joey Romasanta and secretary general Raymund Lee Reyes sat down with Philippine Sports Commission Chair Butch Ramirez and executive director Sannah Frivaldo and explained that no funding was misused when the 14-man karatedo squad stayed in Germany from July to August.

“What was clearly emphasized was the money did not disappear. The money was spent. That amount was to cover the meals and allowances of everybody in the group,” said Romasanta. “And there were 14 or 15 of them.”

Documents provided by PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez showed the PSC allocated P3,217,874.75 for the entire trip with each member of the team allotted a daily allowance of $90 or $1,800 for 20 days. According to Fernandez, some of the athletes claimed they only received 400 Euros or roughly $470.

“How could they survive there for 20 days without eating? They were traveling from one camp to another. (Iranian coach) Ali (Parvinfar) was the disbursing officer because Raymund got there 12 days after,” said Romasanta.

“No money was lost. Everybody was provided for and it was already liquidated. Now whether the COA (Commission on Audit) or the PSC would accept that is another matter,” added the first vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Also present during the meeting were Philippine Sports Institute training director Marc Edward Velasco and PSC lawyer Dennis Apostol.

Romasanta said Reyes had voluntarily offered to take a leave of absence as the PSC and the NBI conduct their separate investigations.