Squash chief vows to bring up new polls in POC meeting

Robert Bachmann, president of the Squash Rackets Association of the Philippines, has been very vocal on his stand in the court-ordered Philippine Olympic Committee elections.

“Let’s proceed with the elections,” said Bachmann. “Pursue it so we will know who the NSAs (national sports associations) really want.”

The POC executive board will tackle the ticklish issue on Jan. 17 after the Pasig City Regional Trial Court ordered that a new elections for POC president and chair be held on Feb. 23.

The general assembly of the POC made up of 43 NSAs will convene on Jan. 31 and can decide as a collective body on what action to take.

“If nobody raises the issue (in the general assembly), I will,” said Bachmann.

“If [current POC president] Peping [Cojuangco] wins, then let’s unite under him,” added the squash chief.

Judge Maria Gracia Cadiz-Casaclang of Pasig RTC Branch 155 declared null and void the POC polls on Nov. 25, 2016, when Cojuangco ran unopposed and earned his fourth consecutive term.

Boxing chief Ricky Vargas was supposed to challenge Cojuangco, the incumbent president at that time, but was disqualified by the election committee headed by former International Olympic Committee representative Frank Elizalde.

“It would be nice if the two leaders (Cojuangco and Vargas) on this position talk,” said Philippine 2019 SEA Games chef de mission Monsour Del Rosario, the 2017 world taekwondo’s Man of the Year.

“I also have people that I don’t like,” added the Makati City representative and secretary general of the Philippine Taekwondo Association.
“But for the country, for the gold medal, for the glory that I want to see in 2019, I’m willing to work with these people.”

Casaclang likewise ordered that Vargas and Cavite representative and cycling president Abraham Tolentino be included as candidates for president and chair, respectively.
Tolentino was also disqualified by the POC elections division to run as chair.

“If this will unify sports once and for all, let’s get this over and done with,” said Del Rosario. “Once and for all, let’s clear all doubt.”