THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) intends to amend its constitution to conform with that of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

According to veteran sports official Romy Ribano of squash, the POC will modify its constitution next year in accordance with an advice from the IOC to all national olympic committees (NOCs).

“The IOC wants the constitutions of all the NOCs to be synchronized and be updated,” said Ribano. “Marami ng changes ngayon sa sports in general at gusto ng IOC makasabay tayo doon.”

Ribano said new policies in doping and the promotion of women officials in the council wherein each NOC membership must consist of 10-percent female are two of those amendments that are needed to be implemented.

POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. has set a January 9 deadline to discuss the amendments, although certain members are requesting for a later date.

“Some are saying that it’s too early dahil manggagaling tayo sa SEA [Southeast Asian] Games and they are asking kung puwede i-move ’yung date,” said Ribano.

“And also, some are asking if they can insert new items in the amendment para isang upuan lang. It’s now up to the executive board kung papayagan ang request nila,” Ribano added.

The next POC general assembly will be held on January 30 next year. The council had as its agenda in its last meeting last week the amendment of the constitution. Other topics discussed were the country’s participation in the SEA Games including the medical commission, the Philippine Olympic Festival (POF) and the financial status of the POC.

Cojuangco bared the areas that will host the next POF. These are Baguio City for the Central and Northern Luzon leg from March 5 to 8, Lanao del Norte for the Mindanao leg from May 7 to 11, Manila for the National Capital Region from June 25 to 29 and Negros Oriental for the Visayas from July 23 to 27.

Trace College in Laguna will host the Bicol-Southern Tagalog region leg from September 10 to 14 and the POF National Championships will be held in Misamis Oriental from October 20 to 26.

Status Affirmed

The country’s only superstar boxer from General Santos City has the glam and the gold.

But the other rising fighter from GenSan has the goods.

Victory step back in the right direction for Boom-Boom

Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista showed composure and maturity in and out of the ring as he successfully defended his regional crown by decisioning Antonio “Barrio” Meza of Mexico yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.

For three quarters, the Air21 Express played as cold as the chilly December breeze but warmed up just in time to pull off an 88-80 victory over the shorthanded Welcoat Dragons last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City

THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) intends to amend its constitution to conform with that of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

New rules, seasoned hosts to hamper RP tennis campaign

Call it an uphill climb.

That’s how Cecil Mamiit describes the Filipinos’ bid in the Southeast Asian Games, with rules changes and host Thailand coming off successful campaigns abroad proving to be key factors in the Philippine campaign.

Fil-Am golf returns to action today

AT least 350 players from different teams are competing in the Am division Flights B, C and D as action resumes today in the Fil-Am Golf Championships at the Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club courses in Baguio City.

Unibikers get bonus

Marlon Caspillo blasted a two-run home run in a six-run fourth inning and the Dumaguete Unibikers clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the division playoffs by routing Forward Taguig, 13-6, in the Baseball Philippines Series Two yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark.

Bleachers’ Brew: A Red Card for Football

I’m all for unification and transparency,” said Mari Martinez in the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Forum last week, where he was formally introduced as the heir to Johnny Romualdez as president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).