POC decides on officials’ age limit

Age doesn’t matter. It may be true for sports, but for those running it, it’s up for debate.

The push to amend the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) constitution and by-laws on age eligibility for officials running for positions is expected to meet a major roadblock when the POC executive board convenes on Monday.

The controversial amendment proposal tops the agenda for the board, which will meet via Zoom. If passed, it will be recommended to the general assembly that gets to decide on a two-thirds vote.

But that won’t be easy as the POC elders are expected to question why an age-barrier will be placed when the voting members can fully decide for themselves if a candidate has outlived his usefulness or not.

Board member Joey Romasanta of volleyball, who is among the POC officials past 70, said he will convince the executive board to have “a healthy exchange in the free market of ideas.”

“This should be taken with utmost care and discussed thoroughly, because it will have a lasting effect on the future of the POC,” Romasanta told the Inquirer.

Joining Romasanta on the list of officials to be affected if the amendment is passed are current POC chair Steve Hontiveros and board member Julian Camacho.

No one among the “old guards” said they will run for positions in the next elections.

The POC top honchos, led by president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, are all for limiting officials to younger than 70 years old, which he hopes would take effect when the body holds its elections this November.

The proponent of the amendment is former POC chief and now constitution and by-laws committee head Ricky Vargas. INQ