The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has no intention of encroaching on the functions of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) as far as the country’s hosting of the 11-nation regional sportsfest is concerned.
POC president Joey Romasanta made it clear that the local Olympic body is focused on the technical supervision of efficiently running the competition proper of every sport and not the entire organization of the Games.
“It’s not proper to say that the POC will run the entire organization. Even Superman will have a difficult time organizing these Games,” said Romasanta, pointing out that over 15,000 athletes, coaches, officials and guests will attend the Southeast Asian Games on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, which is almost the same magnitude as the Olympics.
Romasanta agreed that it should be a joint effort with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Phisgoc to reap success in the SEA Games.
“I have to give due respect and thanks to Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano for an initial effort and for ensuring the success of the Games along with PSC Chair Butch Ramirez,” Romasanta told the Inquirer.
With the help of the national sports associations, Romasanta explained the responsibility of the POC is to guarantee a smooth conduct of the competition in every sport during the Games, which offers a total of 550 events in 57 sports.
“That’s the mandate of the POC. When you hold the Games, you need technical supervision based on the technical handbook devised by the Asian federation and international federation of each sport,” said Romasanta.
“The handbook is the Bible that will ensure that you don’t change the nature of the sport or alter the rules of the game,” he added.
Romasanta warned that changing the rules of the game and conduct of competition in a sport has dire consequences.
“The POC will be answerable to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) once a protest or complaint has been filed by the IF (international federation) of the sport,” said Romasanta.
Every sport in the country has a local governing organization, which is a member of the Asian and global federations of the sport.
In the case of basketball for example, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is the body recognized by the POC in the country and Fiba (International Basketball Federation), which is a partner of the IOC.