By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Ricky Vargas is hoping the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will be able to amend its constitution that prohibits officials who are more than 70 years old from running for top executive positions before the association holds its election sometime in November.
“Ang objective sana is sa November. Wala namang masyadong changes. The only main discussion is the age limit,” he said in the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum held online. “We want it before the (POC) elections.”
Vargas, who heads the committee on constitution and by-laws, is optimistic despite its long process and he believes that this constitution change will further strengthen the quality of leadership of the POC.
“It gives a chance for the organization to grow,” he said. “It changes the demographics of the organization. But of course, these younger people should be experienced. And these seniors (who are ineligible to run) can still stay as mentors, consultants, or advisors.”
Vargas said they are expected to convene via online next week to tackle the issue as they try to bring it up to the Executive Board.
The required age limit is for the positions of president, vice president and secretary.
The draft has already been submitted to the committee where they will vote for approval before submitting to the Board.
After going through the Board, the issue will be tackled during the General Assembly composed of officials from various national sports association members.
Though Vargas is eligible to run for position in this constitution change, the 68-year-old former POC chief said he doesn’t have any plans as he is currently involved in an initiative with long-time sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan in creating a Philippine business for sports development.
POC President Bambol Tolentino spearheaded this move of having an age requirement, saying that like the International Olympic Committee, the POC must be geared towards having fresh minds into the system.
