The candidates for the four vacant posts in the Philippine Olympic Committee executive board will be known on Thursday as the election committee on Tuesday began finalizing the procedures for the coming polls.
“We’re in the midst of finalizing the procedures. So, this will involve a two-day period for all the candidates for the four positions,” said lawyer Teodoro Kalaw IV, a member of the 3-man election panel.
Kalaw talked about the polls following a meeting with Letran athletics moderator Fr. Vic Calvo, and Deputy House Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Conrad Estrella III at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Acting POC president Joey Romasanta joined them in the discussion.
For now, only cycling chief Abraham Tolentino is sure to run for position of president.
And there are 46 of 47 qualified national sports associations allowed to vote when elections during a POC Extraordinary General Assembly are held Sunday at the Sheraton Hotel.
International Olympic Committee observer Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra will again observe the proceeding after watching the meeting of the General Assembly that took place last week at the Manila Golf Club in Makati.
There are clamors for Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association chief Philip Ella Juico to run as well, but his decision to run will be known once candidates begin filing their candidacies on Wednesday.
Clint Aranas (archery) and Steve Hontiveros (handball) are also seen to make their respective bids from the vacant spots of chairman, president and two board member seats.
Karatedo is the only regular member which won’t be allowed to cast its ballot because there are two factions seeking recognition before the POC.
A new group, the Skateboarding and Rollers Sports Association of the Philippines under Monty Mendigoria, was given the green light to vote as skateboarding is now listed as an Olympic sport.
Surfing, sepak takraw, weightlifting, judo and ice hockey were also allowed a vote each.
The POC will elect its 12th president after Ricky Vargas quit last June.
