The Philippine Olympic Committee will be assembling a new swimming federation following the disenfranchisement of the Philippine Swimming Inc. from World Aquatics.
POC deputy secretary general Bones Floro said they were given the instruction by World Aquatics to assemble a brand-new swimming body that will take the place of the embattled PSI.
Floro explained that the world governing body had initially instructed them to amend the PSI constitution and by-laws but later had a change of heart and opted to form a new federation instead.
“It’s no longer amendments for PSI because the international federation’s instruction was to disaffiliate PSI. They are not recognized anymore so there should be a new body to be affiliated and recognized by the IF, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee,” said Floro, who is part of the stabilization committee that was tasked to spearhead the amendments in the PSI charter.
Also in the stabilization committee are POC legal commission chief Wharton Chan and Bases Conversion Development Authority senior vice president Arrey Perez.
“That is what’s happening now: Building a new NSA, not amending the PSI by-laws. We have not choice and the stabilization committee was instructed to create a new one in six months.”
The POC has yet to completely expel the PSI from its general assembly, mandating the Philippine Sports Commission to continue supporting its athletes who are preparing for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in May.
Floro stressed that they have already reached out to government sports agency regarding the allowances of the athletes.
“Our immediate concerns are the athletes,” he said.
“Their training and competitions shouldn’t be hindered, especially for the Cambodia SEA Games. In the past week, we have met with the PSC to process their allowances.”
Floro assured that the formation of the new swimming federation will be open and inclusive among all stakeholders, including those from the PSI board of directors.
“When the World Aquatics order was released, we personally met with (PSI president) Lani (Velasco) for a smooth turnover and we had our discussion. Obviously, there are a lot of opinions but we are doing everything correctly so that the operations won’t be hindered,” Floro said.
“One of the directions of FINA is an open and inclusive election so that means all stakeholders. Definitely, I’m sure if they are qualified, they can run.”
The planned formation of a new body, however, may be delayed as the PSI brought the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, a Swiss-based court that tackles sports-related disputes.
“Our appeal is being handled by the CAS and FINA is participating in the process,” Velasco said in a message to Daily Tribune.
“The issues are before the CAS and we await its decision.”
