POC age-cap issue should be settled

The previous executive board meeting of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) that tackled the controversial age-cap issue ended on a sour note, with several members of the body now angling on putting the thorny matter to rest in a manner acceptable to all.

“A stalemate is unacceptable. We have a duty to the [POC] general assembly and the IOC (International Olympic Committee) on this one,” said POC board member Clint Aranas, the president of World Archery Philippines.

The executive board adjourned its meeting that ran for five hours on Friday last week after failing to put closure on two subjects—the age limit of top POC officials and the removal of the chair and immediate past president positions in the board.

“We will officially write them a letter because it is incumbent upon the [POC] leadership to actually call for another meeting. There’s a moral obligation to amend the constitution and to be nonpersonal about it,” Aranas said.

The board has been divided on the age restriction, with POC president and Cavite representative Abraham Tolentino pushing for an age limit of 70-75 years old on future POC executive board officials as proposed by constitutional amendments committee chair Ricky Vargas.

Board members Cynthia Carrion of gymnastics, Robert Mananquil of billiards, treasurer Julian Camacho of wushu and POC first vice president Joey Romasanta were among those who dissented. INQ