IOC briefed on RP caging issue

Once again, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) was reminded by its foreign counterparts to "stay the course" and ensure that genuine reforms take place and help Philippine basketball get back on its feet.

During the recent World Forum on Sports, Education and Culture in Beijing, POC representatives Monico Puentevella and Mark Joseph had the chance to meet with some of the world’s top sports leaders.

Joseph, the swimming president and deputy secretary-general of the POC, said they had ample time to brief International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge on the basketball situation in the country.

The Philippines is still under suspension by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as a result of a bitter dispute that resulted in the expulsion of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) from the POC.

Negotiations are underway among officials of the BAP, Pilipinas Basketball (PB) and the newly formed Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) that could lead to the lifting of the FIBA suspension.

The process, however, has encountered some rough sailing because of what Joseph said was "the BAP’s intransigence in spite of its obvious instability" considering that it hac been expelled from the POC.

"(This) is really failing to create a positive impression for BAP on world Olympic leaders," said Joseph, referring to a recent move by the BAP to have itself reinstated by the POC.

"(The) IOC leaders pointed out that the issue of a sports federation or any leader trying to dictate its will on the Olympic committee is an old, old story," said Joseph.

"Membership in an NOC is and must be governed by principles defined in the IOC charter, and not on personalities, opinions and vested interests. The POC is mandated to protect and enforce these in the Philippines."

Joseph added that some FIBA officers from Asia and Europe are planning to question Patrick Baumann, the FIBA sec-gen, for his "personal decision" to continue to recognize the BAP.

Joseph said Baumann’s decision is "in violation of the FIBA by-laws requiring all other federations in the world to have their NOC recognition (in this case the POC) to remain FIBA members."

Joseph said many leaders whom they spoke to in Beijing "were alarmed to find out that the BAP seemed poised on backing out of the unification process especially after three attempts at unification."

The POC, according to Joseph, was also reminded that in all past cases involving conflicts of this nature, Olympic culture and values have always prevailed. — Abac Cordero