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BY BOBBY MOTUS
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Saturday, June 10, 2017
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THIS was the line said by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) head who dropped long distance runner Mary Joy Tabal from the official list of athletes to the 29th Southeast Asian Games this Aug. 19 to 30 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Philip Ella Juico’s PATAFA and Tabal had some conflicting stands since the 2016 Rio Olympics and this time, it has finally gotten her excluded from the national team.
Mr. Juico and his disciples had stated that among others, MJT had repeatedly refused to follow federation rules and insisted on training where she wants and with whom she wants. Tabal is the first Filipina marathon entry to compete in the last Olympics.
Ok, let’s take a ride on this self-training issue. What’s the damn difference with those half-breeds training the whole time outside the country and then wear the PH flag on their uniforms upside down when competition comes? These foreign-sired athletes most probably also get allowances from the NSAs even if they train outside the country.
Like the overseas-based athletes, Tabal wanted to train where she’s comfortable and she has done very well without PATAFA’s help. This got the ire of the federation gods because credit perhaps is not due to them. Surely, truly, bias is present here. Is it because she comes from the provinces, a promdi? And yet they say they’re not playing favorites.
They said an athlete, to join and be retained with the national team, needs to have respect towards authority and commitment to the team and whatever guidelines imposed. Let’s read between the lines. Like some national athletes and coaches who reportedly spoke against Tabal during a presser a few days ago, if you don’t lick ass and kiss balls, you’re out of the team.
Let me take exception to the statement of national track coach Jojo Posadas saying that Tabal is using the local media in dealing with their rift. “Tira sila ng tira sa PATAFA sa local media…” Dammit, local sports media, Cebu in particular, base things on facts, not hearsay, supernatural or fiction. The local sports media association monitors its members and reprimands anyone, may they be high, low or mighty for any indiscretions detrimental to the good standing of the group. Opinions may vary but that does not generalize things.
And yes, since Tabal is a locally grown and bred athlete, a Cebuana, her rise to prominence is well documented locally, including this freaking issue. If you don’t like what was written, hit the crossword puzzles. It broadens thinking.
And is Tabal really a prima donna, demanding this and that, as what Posadas claimed? She won’t be wasting her time teaching kids for free with her running clinics in several municipalities if she’s one haughty, bitchy snoot.
I am pleased that Cong. Gwen Garcia, Cebu City mayor Tommy Osmeña and other local officials, sports personalities and PSC commissioner Mon Fernandez had joined together in support of Mary Joy Tabal. But no matter what this cumulative effort may bring, if PATAFA says no, then it’s no. They are the sole deciding authority on the composition of the national athletics team. Maybe they have a better long distance runner for the SEAG. Well, kung ayaw n’yo, di huwag.
PATAFA. Pathetic Arrogance Towards A Filipina Athlete./PN
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