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Ramirez to delinquent NSAs: Shape up

PSC chairman Butch Ramirez

by Nick Giongco

National sports associations with leadership and liquidation problems are being called by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to iron out kinks in their respective backyards or risk having their financial support withdrawn.

“The government is very strict with unliquidated expenses,” said PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, noting that the agency has the mandate to withhold funding in the event an NSA continues to be non-compliant.

But Ramirez makes it clear that while funding an NSA can be stopped temporarily, the agency won’t allow the athletes to suffer.

“The athletes are not at fault when an NSA gets into trouble so the PSC will continue to support them,” said Ramirez, stressing that a disbursing officer from the PSC can release funds strictly to the athletes.

Ramirez cites tennis and swimming as prime example of NSAs that remain troubled to this day with warring groups claiming the right to govern.

In the case of swimming, Lani Velasco enjoys the full backing of the FINA, something that the alliance of Eric Buhain, Pinky Brosas, Ral Rosario and Akiko Thomson doesn’t have.

As for tennis, lawyer Antonio Cablitas maintains he is the legitimate leader of the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association despite an ITF ruling that indicates otherwise.

“The law is very clear that’s why we at the PSC urges the NSAs to settle their problems,” said Ramirez.

The Philippines is gearing to host the 2019 Southeast Asian Games with organizers aiming to win the overall crown.

Fifty-six sports are going to be played and over 550 events will be contested in the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 biennial sportsfest in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including Tarlac, Subic, Bulacan and Tagaytay.

Tags: Butch Ramirez , NSA , Philippine Sports Commission , PSC