Warring groups sign MOA in hope to unify PHL cycling

Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Philip Ella Juico and Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that may unify the local cycling association in time for the upcoming 2011 Southeast Asian Games. Under the MOA, the parties, Juico's Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (ICFP) and Tolentino's PhilCycling will form a unified team under the guidance of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). They will submit to the POC and PSC their respective lists of athletes and coaches, justifying each candidate. Both parties will also "negotiate with one another in good faith in order to conclude the necessary agreement regarding the number of athletes and coaches to make up the united national cycling team." "It's all about finding solutions to cycling problems, and this united front could be a start," said Juico, who added that he signed the MOA prepared by the POC with absolutely no changes. "As I've been saying all along, I want to be part of the solution and not add to the problem," Juico added. Philippine cycling's leadership dispute was the reason why the country did not participate in the 2009 Laos Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), since members of the national team failed to obtain licenses from the International Cycling Union (Union Cycliste International, UCI), thus forfeiting the country's chances of vying for the eight gold medals at stake. "We obviously don't want a repeat of that, that's why I fully support the efforts to put up this united front. We are doing this for the athletes, so that only the best can be sent to the games and given hassle-free training," said Juico, referring to the biennial meet set in November in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia. Both Juico and Tolentino's group are expected to respect and follow the POC and PSC's ruling regarding the selection of athletes, which will be based on performance. They shall also form a training pool for the national cycling team. "As I've said, this is the start. At least, the athletes can train now without having to worry and be anxious about whether they will be able to compete. This (agreement) definitely erases all of their reservations and fears," said Juico. Tolentino said the MOA will benefit the athletes. "Tama lang yung ganito kasi ang talagang nakakaawa yung mga siklista, sila ang naiipit. Ngayon kung sino yung talagang karapat-dapat na maging representative ng bansa natin, sila yung may pagkakataon na makalaro sa SEA Games." – JVP, KY, GMA News