Philippine Sports has encountered a serious problem, but there’s no one among our well-meaning sports leaders, it seems, who could do anything about it.
The problem has something to do with deserved respect and recognition.
It was caused by blind disregard for existing international records by one consul at the United States Embassy in Manila.
Or by plain incompetence, depending on how you look at the mess.
* * *
Philippine track and field heroine Elma Muros-Posadas, 44, is herself in a mess.
She should be packing up for the US, but she’s been pitifully stalled.
Athletics coach Jojo Posadas, Elma’s trainer and husband, said Elma has been jolted and shamed.
On June 16, Elma reported for her 6:30 a.m. interview appointment at the embassy.
* * *
“She’s both disappointed and discouraged,” Posadas told the Inquirer over the weekend.
As long jump gold medalist, Elma has to defend the title she won in the 2009 World Master championship in Finland.
This year’s Master championship is scheduled July 7 to 17 in Sacramento, California.
A many-time US visitor, Elma brought with her all the necessary documents.
These included the invitation letter from the World Master Association, official information on her entry, plus receipt for lodging she had to pay for in advance.
* * *
Muros’ records would show that she has traveled to the US a total of five times, starting with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
She had never encountered any visa hassles in the past.
She was expecting to again breeze past the feared embassy interview window.
She was instead held—stunned and shaken—as though she had figured in twin false starts.
* * *
“The consul just said: ‘You are not qualified!,’” coach Posadas said.
Elma also explained, upon being asked, that the World Master championship is a widely followed international competition in athletics.
The consul, however, brushed off everything as total nonsense.
“Wala po ‘atang alam sa sports ang consul (The consul obviously had no ample background in sports),” Posadas surmised.
* * *
Actually, Elma had been told to re-apply.
Explained her husband: “We can’t, no way. She had to pay P6,000 at BPI in order to get the interview slot. She also paid for other fees, lodging, all totaling P20,000 of our own money.”
Posadas said the sum already amounted to Elma’s two-month salary.
They have two kids.
But didn’t they seek help from the Philippine Sports Commission, at least?
From what he knows, coach Posadas said, a request for assistance from the government sports agency had been denied.
* * *
Meanwhile, during the same interview, hurler Erlinda Lavandia, a one-time World Master gold-medal winner, was granted a US visa.
“Natapat po siya sa mabait na consul (She had the luck of getting a kind consul),” Posadas philosophized.
Well, all’s not lost. Hopefully.
From what we’ve seen, read, and heard, there’s nobody out there at the US Embassy who could be kinder and more considerate than the Honorable Harry Thomas, American ambassador to the Philippines.
* * *
(CHEERS: Boxing expert Hermie Rivera feels very much a world champ these days. His grand daughter, dear Keana, after a shaky start caused by the death of a close friend, came up with straight A’s in all her classes and has been certified top candidate for college by mentor Valerie Smith at Crossroads High School in Newark, California.)
The problem has something to do with deserved respect and recognition.
It was caused by blind disregard for existing international records by one consul at the United States Embassy in Manila.
Or by plain incompetence, depending on how you look at the mess.
* * *
Philippine track and field heroine Elma Muros-Posadas, 44, is herself in a mess.
She should be packing up for the US, but she’s been pitifully stalled.
Athletics coach Jojo Posadas, Elma’s trainer and husband, said Elma has been jolted and shamed.
On June 16, Elma reported for her 6:30 a.m. interview appointment at the embassy.
* * *
“She’s both disappointed and discouraged,” Posadas told the Inquirer over the weekend.
As long jump gold medalist, Elma has to defend the title she won in the 2009 World Master championship in Finland.
This year’s Master championship is scheduled July 7 to 17 in Sacramento, California.
A many-time US visitor, Elma brought with her all the necessary documents.
These included the invitation letter from the World Master Association, official information on her entry, plus receipt for lodging she had to pay for in advance.
* * *
Muros’ records would show that she has traveled to the US a total of five times, starting with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
She had never encountered any visa hassles in the past.
She was expecting to again breeze past the feared embassy interview window.
She was instead held—stunned and shaken—as though she had figured in twin false starts.
* * *
“The consul just said: ‘You are not qualified!,’” coach Posadas said.
Elma also explained, upon being asked, that the World Master championship is a widely followed international competition in athletics.
The consul, however, brushed off everything as total nonsense.
“Wala po ‘atang alam sa sports ang consul (The consul obviously had no ample background in sports),” Posadas surmised.
* * *
Actually, Elma had been told to re-apply.
Explained her husband: “We can’t, no way. She had to pay P6,000 at BPI in order to get the interview slot. She also paid for other fees, lodging, all totaling P20,000 of our own money.”
Posadas said the sum already amounted to Elma’s two-month salary.
They have two kids.
But didn’t they seek help from the Philippine Sports Commission, at least?
From what he knows, coach Posadas said, a request for assistance from the government sports agency had been denied.
* * *
Meanwhile, during the same interview, hurler Erlinda Lavandia, a one-time World Master gold-medal winner, was granted a US visa.
“Natapat po siya sa mabait na consul (She had the luck of getting a kind consul),” Posadas philosophized.
Well, all’s not lost. Hopefully.
From what we’ve seen, read, and heard, there’s nobody out there at the US Embassy who could be kinder and more considerate than the Honorable Harry Thomas, American ambassador to the Philippines.
* * *
(CHEERS: Boxing expert Hermie Rivera feels very much a world champ these days. His grand daughter, dear Keana, after a shaky start caused by the death of a close friend, came up with straight A’s in all her classes and has been certified top candidate for college by mentor Valerie Smith at Crossroads High School in Newark, California.)
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