Robert Aventajado heads arbitration committee

MANILA, Philippines — Robert Aventajado, former chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee and current president of the Philippine Taekwondo Association, has been tapped to head the POC committee on arbitration and disputes.

Aventajado got his appointment from Ricky Vargas, who said one of his main tasks as the new POC president is to end the leadership disputes with a handful NSAs (national sports associations).

“So we can focus on our athletes,” the boxing chief said.

Vargas couldn’t have found a better person who will help NSAs like tennis, swimming, triathlon and weightlifting solve their problems, mostly leadership disputes.

“When Mr. Vargas spoke to me I told him I would accept the job but our actions must be based on merits, and that we will only do what is right,” said Aventajado.

“We will not take sides. We will not play politics. This way, we can recover the credibility in the way the POC recognizes the NSAs,” he said.

Vargas assured Aventajado that they’re on the same page, and that the former will also base his leadership on merit.

“Otherwise, I will resign. I told him (Vargas) that, and he said that goes with him as well. Mr. Vargas said he will base all things on merit,” Aventajado said.

The taekwondo chief is armed with the experience, having played the same role in the early years of Jose Cojuangco’s POC presidency.

Outside sports, Aventajado has played an even bigger role as chief negotiator of the Estrada administration during the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping crisis almost two decades ago.