Romasanta clarifies autonomy of NSAs

The  National sports associations (NSAs) exercise autonomy but are governed by a set of rules as members of the Philippine Olympic Committee in accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the International Olympic Committee.

“The POC respects and recognizes the autonomy of the NSAs. But they are not entirely independent because while the NSAs select and train their athletes, the POC set the standards to make sure every athlete is capable of winning medals,” POC spokesperson Joey Romasanta explained yesterday.

Romasanta added that the NSAs hold their own elections and raise concerns on the POC general assembly floor on certain issues and complaints.

The POC usually sets up a criteria in the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games to screen the composition of the national team. In the 2010 Asian Games, Romasanta said the POC facilitated the accreditation, preparation, monitoring and participation of Filipino athletes a year before the Asiad.