Stay, international track officials tell Go

PHILIPPINE Amateur Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok yesterday said he is being asked by officials of the Asian Athletics Association to stay as head of the country’s athletics body.

Go recently attended AAA meetings where he said officials led by secretary general Maurice Nicholas told him that he has no reason to leave his post because he “wasn’t involved in any irregularities like corruption.”

“I was talking to them and they told me I was doing a good job so why do I have to leave,” Go told the Inquirer.

However, Go refused to answer whether he is changing his mind about retiring.

The outspoken national sports associations leader added he welcomes the personalities who have shown interest in helping the athletics body but reiterated that they should come forward “after and not before” the Patafa elections set next month.

Go, who earlier declared his intention not to run anymore for president after serving for 21 years, said he, too, was surprised by the interest in Patafa by big businessmen whom he refused to name.

Go said he still has nobody in mind to anoint as his successor although there were reports that former Philippine Sports Commission Chair Philip Ella Juico already has the inside track. Juico refused to make a comment.

Sources said top businessmen including San Miguel Corporation’s Ramon S. Ang and Puregold’s Lucio Co expressed their intention to help Patafa.

Go said he has not heard personally from them but confirmed that there are a few more taipans willing to support them.