Garcia washes hands in PDBF mess

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia defended the country’s sports governing body amidst the controversy involving the Cobra Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PBDF) team.

Garcia was in Cebu to join Cebu City Sports Commissioner Edward Hayco for a memorandum of agreement signing at the Port Seafood Restaurant yesterday.

The PSC and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) were criticized for not supporting the PBDF paddlers who won five gold medals in the recent world championships in Tampa, Florida recently.

But Garcia said they are not to be blamed. “I don’t know why we are accused,” said Garcia.

According to Garcia, the PSC has a directive order from the POC on which sporting organization, federation and association shall be recognized and supported. In the case of the PBDF, their federation was not recognized by the POC.

This is because the POC has its own recognized and credited federation, which is the Philippine Canoe/Kayak Federation, under the International Canoe-Kayak Federation.

He said members of the PBDF opted not to join the PCKF, which is the reason why PSC did not fund them.

“They had a choice to join the PCKF but they left, leaving us no choice but to stop the fundings,” said Garcia.

The PBDF was earlier given a chance to join the PCKF to make one team that would represent the Philippines in international tournaments such as the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

But the PBDF members refused and claimed that they have their own federation, which is the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). But the POC does not recognize the IDBF. Garcia said the POC did not just choose not to recognize them. He said it is a directive order from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“The media totally exaggerated the issue. I am very saddened about this situation between PSC and the dragon boat team.”

Garcia also explained that one of the reasons why there was no support from the PSC is because the PBDF did not request for funds while competing in Tampa, Florida.

Meanwhile, Garcia apologized for the “tahong” statement he said on a television show recently.

“I did not mean to say that to the dragon boat team. I was just trying to make a point at that time. Kung may nasaktan man paumanhin na po, pinalaki lang talaga yung issue sa media,” said Garcia.

In an interview ANC’s Hardball program, Garcia said “If they would not join the Canoe-Kayak, that’s their decision. They can go back to eating tahong.” CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL