Noli vows swift action

The new Philippine Sports Commission leadership vowed to disburse funds smoothly to deserving national sports associations with the help of a management and auditing team, newly-appointed chairperson Jose Emmanuel "Noli" Eala said yesterday.

To avoid irregularities and the perennial problems experienced by NSAs, Eala said the arrival of the group will "come up with a system when athletes will not be disrupted in training because of liquidation problems."

Eala didn't specifically cite a particular case but it was well-known that world-rated pole vaulter EJ Obiena was hounded with liquidation woes in the runup to his participation in overseas tournaments.

Appearing for the first time at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Eala acknowledged that liquidation woes have been a "perennial problem," citing that he had fully experienced this during his time with the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas.

Eala, who got his directive from Malacañang late last week, said he has begun exploratory talks with the private group that will guide the PSC in doling out financial help to athletes.

Part of the plan is for some of the unliquidated incurred by national sports associations whose leaders are no longer around to be written off.

"We have to reduce the unliquidated amounts by writing off some certain liquidation amounts or receivables," he said.

Eala said it is paramount that funds given should be accounted for since "these are people's funds."

Still, Eala swears the agency will not hesitate to fund those who are truly worthy of being given assistance, particularly those who have shown many times in the past that it can reap honors.

"We have to support those who have the greatest chances of winning medals. But that doesn't mean we won't fund the others."

Eala said the arriving entity tasked to handle the finances of the PSC will make sure of that.

"I have already given direction to come up with a different system of budgeting," Eala added.