POC urges cycling execs to sign Memorandum of Agreement

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. said Thursday that he will urge the warring cycling parties to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) supporting the team that will be formed for the Indonesia Southeast Asian Games in November.

In a radio interview, Cojuangco said the agreement would ensure that there would be no complications with regard to the participation of the athletes, unlike the embarrassing incident that happened in the 2009 Laos SEAG where the cyclists were barred from competing.

“Para walang maging problema at maiwasan na naman yung nangyari sa Laos,” Cojuangco said.

Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino heads Philcying – the one being recognized by the International Cycling Federation – while the other group is headed by former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Philip Juico.

In the last SEA Games, Filipino cyclists belonging to other group were not given a license by Tolentino.

But this time, the two groups decided to unite in the hope of getting an allowance from the PSC.
Cojuangco added he will meet all cyclists by the end of the week or next week to discuss initial plans for the biennial meet.