Alok na CdM ng POC, inokray ni Ramirez
PORMAL na tinanggihan ni Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez ang appointment ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) bilang Chef de Mission ng Team Philippines sa 30th Southeast Asian Games sa Nobyembre.
Sa pinaigsi, ngunit kontrobersyal na POC General Assembly meeting nitong Lunes sa Pasig City, ipinahayag ni POC president Ricky Vargas ang rigodon sa committee membership ng Olympic body bunsod ng ‘lack of trust and confidence’.
Sa harap ng mga miyembro ng POC, sinibak ni Vargas si Monsour del Rosario ng taekwondo at natalong Kongresista sa Makati City sa nakalipas na mid-term election at kagyat na ipinalit si Ramirez.
Ikinalugod ni Ramirez ang desisyon ni Vargas, ngunit, tinanggihan niya ang posisyon. Narito ang bahagi opisyal na pahayag ni Ramirez sa ipinadala sa Balita sports desk.
“Yesterday, I got a call from Cong. Bambol Tolentino, who on behalf of the Philippine Olympic Committee as its Chairman, very kindly offered me the Chef de Mission tasks for Team Philippines’ 2019 Southeast Asian Games participation.
“After some moment of introspection, and to finally put to rest all speculations, I now issue this statement to humbly and officially decline the offer. Thank you very much for considering this humble servant.
“Today, we wake up to a Philippine sports world in shambles. After the tumultuous event in the yard of our POC partners, we all find ourselves at a crossroads in our journey.
“I believe that unity is vital in any endeavor. More so in this ideal, that we all undertake in our own capacities – to push Philippine sports to its highest possibilities.
“I am a public servant. I am bound by duty to deliver what is demanded of me by the law. Whether or not I am CDM in SEAGAMES 2019, I and the PSC will surely provide our full and sincere support to Team Philippines
“As the Chairman of the PSC, I call upon all our sports leaders to step back and take a moment to consider peaceful interactions. I still believe that we can all sit down and civilly thresh out what needs to be straightened out. The PSC is open to host a dialogue between parties and provide neutral ground for everyone to air their side and ultimately to either sacrifice or step-up in the interest of a unified sporting community.
“The PSC Board will be diligently observing and will not be shy to take drastic measures, in the midst of these developments.
-EDWIN ROLLON
