BOXING chief Ricky Vargas is still deciding whether to run for president of the Philippine Olympic Committee or not.
The president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) is consulting the different heads of national sports associations and discussing the coming POC polls on Nov. 25.
Vargas emerged as a top candidate after Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano “Nonong” Araneta changed his mind about his bid to challenge equestrian chief Jose “Peping” Cojuangco who will bid to retain the presidency of the POC for a fourth term.
Araneta told Manila Standard that he wants to give way to Vargas. He will only come into the picture if Vargas is not running, and if no one else will.
According to the Vargas camp, the ABAP head will finalize his decision by Monday, the deadline for the filing of candidacy.
This will be done in consultation with a number of NSA heads who are involved in a movement for change.
Vargas will back out, according to people involved with ABAP, if NSA chiefs want the status quo to remain.
Araneta earlier expressed his interest to go after the post held by Cojuangco, but decided not to because of his present activities with the PFF.
“There was plan. But now, I’m supporting Mr. Vargas,” said Araneta.
Initially, Cojuangco emerged unopposed in his bid for a fourth term as POC president.
POC chairman Tom Carrasco was initially being groomed as the top challenger for the post, which Cojuangco held since 2004.
But in the last election of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), Carrasco was named as its secretary-general.