Politics a bane on PH sports?

THIS has been a personal conclusion for me for a long time now, politics is indeed a permanent bane on Philippine sports, sorry to those who will feel alluded to, but it is intended.

What do I mean by this?

I have been an observer of Philippine sports, part time chronicler too, for more than four decades and what has not changed is the presence of politics in Philippine sports, particularly in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and a lot of times in the National Sports Associations or NSAs.

I accept politics per se is not a bad thing, it is the way some people engage in politics that turns me off. The way power, fame, recognition, influence and perks change people, putting personal interest above everything else, the way being in politics is used to earn money not necessarily legal that is, the corruption that seems to be inherent in Philippine politics.

So much so that there is that overpowering desire to stay in position and continue enjoying all of the above.

Am I ranting?

Not really, just expressing disgust again over what colleague Quinito Henson tackled in his column recently following the recent election, again, in the POC. The result of ex-President Ricky Vargas’ resignation from office after serving for 15 months and realizing that his intentions, good as they may be were not enough to turn things around in POC as far as politicking is concerned.

Okay the election is over with Bambol Tolentino from cycling beating track and field’s Popoy Juico, I am okay with that, and handball’s Steve Hontiveros emerging chairman as he got more votes than Robert Aventajado, now that I do not like. Steve disappeared from the scene at the height of that battle between Peping Cojuangco’s camp of old timers and the new faces led by Vargas.

Then suddenly, prompted by whatever reason, returns and joins the fray and wins. Sorry but I am not a fan of this guy, never mind why but I have my own reasons why I would prefer that he had remained retired from Philippine sports.

But this is not the main issue for me, disturbing for me was what Quinito mentioned that the old loyalists of Peping want their old boss to remain a member of the POC Executive Board by virtue of being the past President following the election of Vargas.

They were also taking the position that since Vargas did not finish his term of office, only 15 months, with Tolentino serving the remaining term, ergo, Vargas should not sit in the Executive Board.

Instead it should be Peping who deserves the seat. Now do you see what I mean about politics in Philippine sports and the seemingly unsatiable desire of those in power or were in power to retain or return to their positions of power? And mind you, as Quinito pointed out, nothing in the POC by-laws talk about the need to finish one’s term to sit on the POC Executive Board for a former past President.

As far as I am concerned, Peping had his opportunity, a long one at that to do his bit for Philippine sports but unfortunately for Philippine sports it was the opposite as sports seemed to be going to the doldrums.

That is why I understand the reasons of Vargas for not wanting to stay in the position and be a continuing victim of backbiters as he referred to some people there.

Now the opportunity to show he can make a difference falls on Tolentino and I hope he remains on course with his post election pronouncements on going for unity in the POC and focus on the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games.
A big challenge indeed where Vargas did not succeed apparently because of politics.

I wish him all the luck. Enough said.