Gymnastics team in tatters

 

 

Top bets withdraw from SEA Games

Rey Bancod
The Manila Bulletin Online

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist Roel Ramirez and the rest of the men’s gymnastics team have decided to pull out from the national pool, a day after head coach Santiago Ty announced his resignation.

Their withdrawal dealt a big blow to the Philippines’ campaign in the 24th SEA Games set in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in December and exposed the shortcomings of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP).

The gymnasts are furious over the failure of the GAP to provide them with tournament exposures needed to meet the criteria set for the Games.

As a result, only four gymnasts, all medalists in the Manila SEAG, were given the green light to join the trip to Thailand.

Aside from Ramirez, the others are Frederick Roxas, Nikka Calapatan and Kaissa Saguisag, all medalists in Manila two years ago.

It marks the first time that the Philippines is not sending a full contingent in gymnastics.

"I’ve been a coach for 25 years and I know how it feels if you’re not given a chance to compete. These boys have been training seven hours daily for years. What are they training for?" asked Ty.

Since the last SEAG in Manila, the gymnasts have not had an international stint, except for the Asean Schools Championships for juniors last year.

The gymnasts were supposed to take part in a tournament in Shanghai a few months ago, but their participation was canceled due to lack of funds.

Ty, who tendered his resignation Monday, is putting the blame squarely on the GAP.

"What the GAP is doing? They cannot just say the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) denied their financial request. There should have been an alternative solution," said Ty, a former gymnast himself.

Ramirez, 24, a member of the national team since 1997, said they were not surprised by Ty’s decision.

"Coach is very frustrated over what’s happening in the sport," said Ramirez.

Ty said he tried to stop his athletes from withdrawing from the pool, lest he be accused of using them as a leverage.

"But the boys could not be persuaded," he said.

Ramirez said they already wrote their resignation letters individually and in their own handwriting.

Apart from Ramirez, the other quitting gymnasts are Joven Estera, Jasper Roxas, Frederick Roxas and Cris Matthew Lombridas.

Ramirez said they are aware of the repercussions of their action, but are prepared to accept them.

The gymnasts stand to lose the monthly stipends they get from the government apart from other perks and benefits.

The withdrawal of Ramirez and Roxas leaves only Calapatan and Saguisag to carry the fight for the country in the Games.

GAP secretary-general Dulce Saguisag could not be reached for comment.