POC ARBITRATION COMMITTEE AND ITS IRRELEVANT RECOMMENDATIONS

Reliable sources reveal that the POC Arbitration Committee, tasked to settle the conflict between PCKF President Jonne Go, canoe-kayak head coach Len Escollante and 30 disgruntled dragon boat paddlers and coaches, has come out with its recommendations last November 6, 2013. The committee, according to sources, recommends that elections must be held for a new set of PCKF officers. The arbitration committee, likewise, recommends that only club or team members can run for elected PCKF positions. The recommendations must first be approved by the POC board before any of them can be implemented. Interestingly, Jonne Go is a board member of POC.

After four months of dilly-dallying, the arbitration committee can only come up with recommendations that are best described as irrelevant and weak. PCKF, even without the recommendation, must hold an election to find a new president following the death of former president Dr. Sim. Jonne Go, as things stand, is merely an acting president. The recommendation that only club or team members can run for an elected PCKF position is a given for all legitimate national sports associations. Hence, the irrelevance and pointlessness of these recommendations.

What I find totally unacceptable and deceitful is the arbitration committee's failure to address the issues of unliquidated funds, physical and verbal abuse and the drinking sessions of Jonne Go and Len Escollante. The paddlers and coaches of the national dragon boat team have hurled serious allegations against the two PCKF officials. Yet, the arbitration committee conveniently refuses to answer whether these allegations are true or not. Consequently, punishments for the guilty are not included in the recommendations.

Thus, justice remains elusive for all the parties concerned because the arbitration committee has chosen to be silent on the core issues. Perhaps, it is time for the paddlers and coaches to take their cause to the Asian and world federations. It is time to put these sports officials in their proper places.