This is another update on the financial mess involving the Philippine Karatedo Federation.
Just recently after suspending all financial aid to PKF, the Philippine Sports Commission gave the erring NSA a knockout of a punch when it indefinitely withdrew its recognition of the karate association.
This withdrawal stamps a humiliating stigma on PKF that it may not be able to get back on its feet until after the NBI investigation on the money scandal is concluded and acquits it.
Ramirez and his board created a PSC Task Force that reviewed the complaints lodged by karate athletes against its officials for mishandling their monies given to them by the PSC during their training in Germany last year.
The PTF had discovered “inconsistencies” on the liquidation report submitted by PKF secretary-general Raymund Lee Reyes.
Karate athletes were allotted $90 per day by the PSC for 20 training days. They, however, complained of having not received the full $1800.
Thus, taking the cudgels for the karatekas who went to him for help, Com. Ramon Fernandez initiated an agency probe on the matter that gathered momentum.
Last month, in a signed manifesto, 18 Nationals spearheaded by Asian Games bronze medalist Mae Soriano expressed their loss of confidence in the PKF leadership under president Joey Romasanta and Reyes.
I am writing continuously about it because the incident is a case of petty thievery and corruption that has gone over its’ normal news worthiness and is now considered a major administrative sanction of the Philippine Sports Commission under chair Butch Ramirez
The previous PSC board friendly with the Philippine Olympic Committee leadership had, throughout the six years of the PNoy regime, been extending so much financial assistance to the national sports associations (NSAs) leading us to believe that POC president Peping Cojuangco virtually held the sports agency by its nose.
No doubt, the NSAs are pampered.
So as not to disturb their preparations for the Asian Games, the PKF athletes were taken into the fold of the Philippine Sports Institute under the helm of technical director Marc Velasco.
As of this writing, all karate national coaches are suspended.
The withdrawal of recognition prevents the PKF from using Philsports facilities and other privileges that it formerly enjoyed.
The National Bureau of investigation that is now deeply looking into the anomaly may yet unearthed some monkey business which might lead to a criminal prosecution of the culprits.
Romasanta, a protégé of Cojuangco, is the former Gintong Alay boss who succeeded Marcos’ nephew Michael Keon when the EDSA One People Power booted out the conjugal dictatorship from power in 1986.
The PKF has had a rollercoaster ride since the nineties under various leaderships.
We had the opportunity to cover the karatekas’ participation in the world championships held in Sun City, in the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa sometime in 1997.
They did good against their taller and better-trained foes but, regretfully, I could say at that time that Filipino karatekas really needed wider foreign training and exposure. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Psalm 31:1. “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in thy righteousness.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
