CELSO DAYRIT would still seek the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) presidency despite losing former ally Go Teng Kok to the camp of incumbent POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. Triathlon chief Tom Carrasco said on Sunday that Dayrit’s group remains upbeat of clinching the POC leadership despite the decision of Go to shift allegiance to Cojuangco.  

“We’re ready for anything,” Carrasco said. “Whether he [Go] supports us or not, we’ll still continue whatever plans we have for the POC elections.”

But Carrasco added they are still waiting for the athletics head’s formal announcement before totally counting him out.

The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Associaiton chief was supposed to support Dayrit in the November POC elections following a long series of wheeling and dealing.

But in a stunning turn of events, he decided to shift his loyalty to Cojuangco. It is believed that Go has long been for Cojuangco because karatedo, where he is also president, has Cojuangco’s spokeman, Joey Romasanta, as deputy president.

Go claims to have eight to 11 supporters, a considerable number because for a candidate to win, he needs 21 votes. He left for Laos on Sunday and is expected to arrive on Wednesday.

Romasanta said Go is not asking for any position, but just wants to continue whatever program Cojuangco has started.

“In fairness to him, he was not asking for any position from us,” Romasanta said. “Our group is not personality-based. Anybody is welcome to join as long as he will vow to work and support our projects.”

Go’s group, on the other hand, is set to be given at least three to four positions in Dayrit’s executive council, including his retention as sports and rules committee chairman. It was considered an “almost done” deal which Harry Angping, a former Manila congressman and head of the softball association, brokered.

Also expected to run for president are POC chairman Robert Aventajado and Monico Puentevella, the Bacolod congressman, weightlifting president and POC first vice president.

A source said both are still being convinced by Dayrit and Cojuangco to join their respective tickets, arranging a one-on-one showdown between the two former POC leaders.  

“I don’t think anyone of them will back off,” Carrasco said. “We’re just preparing for the worst.”

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CELSO DAYRIT would still seek the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) presidency despite losing former ally Go Teng Kok to the camp of incumbent POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. Triathlon chief Tom Carrasco said on Sunday that Dayrit’s group remains upbeat of clinching the POC leadership despite the decision of Go to shift allegiance to Cojuangco.  

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