MANILA, Philippines – Despite a cloud of doubt hounding its legitimacy, the Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF) pushed through with its general assembly and executive council meeting on Saturday, with Go Teng Kok getting a fresh mandate as president.
Go, also the president of Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA), said he received a fresh mandate to lead the PKF after majority members of the general assembly signed a resolution signifying their full "confidence" to his leadership in a meeting held at the Ambassador Hotel in Manila last Saturday.
This, he said, is despite the Philippine Olympic Committee's (POC) order to prevent him from holding presidential positions in 2 national sports associations simultaneously.
"I am grateful to the members of the (PKF) board for their trust and confidence,” Go said. "I'm happy with the show of support by majority members of the PKF," he added. "This will only prove that there is no any divisions in our association and only a minority group which is responsible for the nonsense disagreements."
Fifteen of PKF council's 22 members and 14 out of the executive board's 19 members signed their support for Go in the PKF general assembly and executive council meeting.
The breakaway PKF group, led by POC spokesman Jose "Joey" Romasanta, failed to attend in the said meeting.
Romasanta recently resigned as PKF deputy president over policy disagreements with Go, a long-time ally of Jose "Peping" Cojuangco who was elected POC president in 2004.
Last Friday during the SCOOP Forum, national karate do players headed by Marna Pabillore and Lutche Metante, expressed support to Go.
"We will continue to train for the SEA Games and we will not allow the leadership problem to affect us," said Metante.
"Full support kami kay president Go Teng Kok," added Pabillore.
Meanwhile, Go announced the staging of the National Open slated on May 18 to 22 in Cagayan de Oro City.
He said the the national event aims to tap fresh talents who could suit up in the 26th Southeast Asian Games to be held November 11 to 25 in Indonesia. – By Marlon Bernardino
