POC defers voting on age cap

There was none of the expected Monday fireworks in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) meeting as the executive board of the local Olympic body decided to defer discussions on the proposed constitutional amendments.

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the issues raised by the constitutional amendment committee headed by boxing chief Ricky Vargas were not brought up in the gathering and have been penciled for the next meeting.

“We weren’t able to finish all the things that we were supposed to discuss in the agenda due to lack of time,’’ Tolentino said. “We have reset the meeting to Friday to tackle these issues.’’

POC chair Steve Hontiveros has booked the executive board assembly on Friday exclusively for the deliberation of the proposed amendments in the charter, including the ticklish matter of age limit for top POC officials.

The POC leadership is divided on the issue of restricting candidates who are 70 years old and up in seeking elective posts.

Hontiveros, president of the Philippine Handball Federation, will be affected if that age cap policy is approved. First vice president Joey Romasanta (volleyball), treasurer Julian Camacho (wushu) and board members Cynthia Carrion (gymnastics) and Prospero Pichay Jr. (chess) will all suffer the same fate.

Likewise up for decision is the abolition of the chair’s position in the coming POC elections at the end of the year, which, if passed by the 13-man executive board, will be forwarded to the POC general assembly for approval.

“I don’t want to comment on the issue because it will be self-serving,” Hontiveros said

.During yesterday’s virtual meeting, the POC has formally recognized the election of Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski as a member of the International Olympic Committee executive board, the first Asian woman to serve in the powerful body.

Membership committee chair Bones Floro confirmed polo as an associate member. INQ