MANILA – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) suspended on Friday its financial assistance to the Philippine Karatedo Association, a national sports organization, which is one of the 50 members of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
In a press conference at the Philsports Complex in Pasig, PSC chair William “Butch” Ramirez said that the suspension of financial support to PKA was made through a resolution adopted unanimously by the PSC board.
Aside from suspension of financial assistance, Ramirez added that the board has issued a restriction order against PKA officials to keep their distance to athletes who filed the complaint.
Ramirez explained that the decision of the board to suspend financial support to PKA was based on the “visitorial powers” of the PSC mandated under Republic Act (RA) 6847, the law that formed the sports body.
The law imposes "sanctions upon any national sports association, institution, association, body, entity, team, athlete and sports official for violation of its policies, rules and regulations.”
Ramirez said that the board has formed a special task force, headed by the agency’s executive director, to probe into the allegations against erring PKA officials.
The sports official added that the board has also sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the probe.
Ramirez said the suspension of financial support to the organization stemmed from complains of several PKA members.
According to Ramirez, the athletes alleged that their subsistence allowance from the government in the amount of $1,800 during their recent 20-day training in Europe was not given to them by PKA officials.
However, he clarified that the training and allowance of the karatekas under PKA will continue, so their preparations in the Asian Games poised to be held in Indonesia next year will not be hampered.
PKA’s coaching staff will also continue to receive allowance. (PNA)
