UNMASKING POC PRESIDENT RICKY VARGAS

courtesy of spin.ph

To this day, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Ricky Vargas has yet to suspend Philippine Katatedo Fedration (PKF) from POC. Despite the withdrawal of membership of PKF from World Karatedo Fedration (WKF), Vargas and the entire POC refuse to suspend PKF.

The whole issue on karatedo truly reveals the kind of sports leader Vargas is. When the seven karatekas came out in public to reveal the anomalies within PKF, Vargas and POC were so unconcerned and did not even bother to investigate what the athletes were complaining about. It was the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) that took the initiative to do an investigation. PSC was the one that took on the responsibility that should, in the first place, belongs to Vargas and POC.

But more than that, what is really disturbing about the karatedo episode is the inability of Vargas and POC to take immediate and proper action. Clearly, PKF and its officials committed serious offenses which WKF verified and found to be true. But despite this, Vargas and POC appear unmoved and seem to protect PKF under Romasanta. This early in his leadership, Vargas has failed to gather enough courage and good judgment. So to expect Vargas and POC to enforce good governance in sports is nothing more than wishful thinking.

URGENT CALL TO POC : REINSTATE PDBF NOW !

In 2011, then Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose Cojuangco Jr. removed Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) as a National Sports Association (NSA) because of an alleged "directive" coming from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The directive, according to Cojuangco, instructs the POC to place PDBF under International Canoe Federation (ICF) and Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation (PCKF) to continue being a part of an NSA.

Now after seven years, the IOC categoricall denies issuing such a directive. Below is part of the letter of IOC regarding the matter :

The IOC does not have a directive as we only recognise particular sport disciplines with respect to the Olympic Programme.

-  The Media Relations Team, IOC , March 29, 2018

The letter likewise states that dragon boat is not part of the Olympic program thus, IOC cannot be involved in the sport in any way.

It is now incumbent on POC President Ricky Vargas and his administration to give back to PDBF the recognition it truly and richly deserves. PDBF and its athletes have been denied of their opportunity to represent  and bring pride and honor to the country for the past seven years despite their world - class achievements. It is only right that the new POC immediately serves justice to PDBF and its world champion teams. PDBF deserves nothing less than a reinstatement as an NSA by Vargas and company.