Badminton's Ramos calls for unity in RP sports

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) president Amelita “Ming" Ramos called for unity in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as she asked POC president Peping Cojuangco to be fair with his dealings with the national sports associations (NSAs). “Fairness," was Ramos’ answer when asked what kind of message she would convey to Cojuangco, who have been at odds with several NSAs which did not supported him during the last POC elections. The PBA is among those NSAs that supported the candidacy of losing candidate Art Macapagal of shooting. And the former First Lady said that since the PBA supported Macapagal, her association and other NSAs allied with the shooting chief were besieged with leadership disputes. Ramos, however, said that this must come to an end so that NSAs can perform their duties and other programs to help the players and coaches. She added that a unified POC can better serve the country’s Olympic movement. “Magkaisa na. “We’re finding new talents pero walang mangyayari kung magkakahiwalay." Ramos said that if the POC continues to support the Errol Chan faction of badminton, the players will suffer more. “Ang mangyayari niyan since (the PBA) is recognized by the Asian Badminton Federation and the (Badminton World Federation) we could send athletes to the international competitions sanctioned by these international organizations like the world championships, Asian championships and other regional tournaments." “But if the POC will recognize the other group, they will be the one who can send players to the Olympics, Asian Games and SEA Games," explained Ramos regarding the possible scenario if the leadership dispute inside the association is not solved. Ramos added that she and her group does not recognize the election called by the POC wherein Chan was elected as vice president even if she was voted as the PBA president. The POC continues to recognize that election where Cojuangco even administered the Chan’s oath taking ceremony. “We will deal with this problem after the Philippine Open," Ramos said. Meanwhile, Ramos said that PBA paid $42,000 as penalty for not staging the Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open Grand Prix Badminton Championship last year. “The tournament will not push through if we didn't pay the penalty." The PBA decided to skip last year’s edition being an Olympic year since most of the world’s top players are preparing for the Beijing Olympics. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV