BOXING chief Ricky Vargas has thrown his hat into the ring and will challenge Jose Cojuangco Jr. for the presidency of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
Vargas, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, officially filed his candidacy at the POC offices at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City on Monday.
Joining Vargas in the effort to end Cojuangco’s 12-year reign at the POC were PhilCycling President Rep. Abraham Tolentino (chairman), Philippine Badminton Association Secretary-General Rep. Alfredo Benitez (first vice president), Muay Thai Association President, former Police General Lucas Managuelod (second vice president), Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Renauld Barrios (second vice president) and table tennis association chief Ting Ledesma (auditor).
The elections are set on November 25. The POC elections are held on the last Friday of November of an Olympic year for a term of four years.
“Let us run and give the national sports associations [NSA] something new. Let David fight. Let the battle happen,” Vargas said, after filing his candidacy just hours before the deadline expired on Monday.
Vargas admitted that it will be an uphill climb to beat the 82-year-old Cojuangco, who com by acclamation in 2004 and by a narrow 21-19 margin over the late Arturo Macapagal (shooting) in 2008.
But he remained enthusiastic to bring a fresh start to the POC, which has received wide criticism under Cojuangco because of Filipino athletes’ deteriorating performance on the global arena.
“[The NSAs] want change. End vindictiveness. Twelve years is a pretty long time. You’ve got to give it away,” added Vargas, claiming he has the numbers to prevent a fourth term for Cojuangco. Vargas, grandson of Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation founding member Jorge Vargas, lashed out at Cojuangco, who stressed POC rules, specifically on attendance in general assemblies, disqualify Vargas from running.
“He has already belittled us. Allow the battle to go on,” Vargas said.