POC to handle training of athletes from troubled NSAs

The Philippine Olympic Committee will not allow the training of athletes with medal potentials to be hampered by infighting in their respective national sports associations.

POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. said they have decided, through a board resolution, to supervise the training of the athletes from NSAs wracked by leadership disputes.

The local Olympic body had earlier announced it would handle the training of athletes from swimming and volleyball.

Cojuangco said the resolution now covers athletes in other troubled NSAs as well.

“It will allow us to pick athletes from problematic NSAs so their training and preparation for the Southeast Asian Games won’t be affected,” said Cojuangco.

Two factions are contesting the leadership of the Philippine Volleyball Federation, forcing the POC to step in and form a five-man committee to resolve the conflict.

“From the report I’ve gathered, many other sports have yet to submit the names of their athletes for the Games,” said Cojuangco, who declined to mention the other troubled NSAs.

“If they can’t provide the names and there are athletes capable of winning medals in their sport, the POC will intervene.”

About 500 Filipino athletes from 34 sports are being groomed to compete in the 28th SEA Games on June 5 to 16 in Singapore with officials hoping to improve on the country’s seventh-place performance in Burma 2013.

Cojuangco said the POC has already notified the Olympic Council of Asia of its move to supervise the training of athletes.

“I don’t think we have much of a problem with OCA, especially if the IF (international federation) will support the program,” he said.