RECOGNITION of the Philippine Karatedo Federation as a national sports association has been dropped by the Philippine Sports Commission.
A five man task formed by the Philippine Sports Commission made this recommendation and the government sports agency is set to carry this out.
Executive Director Sannah Privaldo talked about the result of their investigations following a probe on allegations that several national karatedo athletes did not receive their full their allowances during their 20-day training stint in Germany last July.
For the PSC, this means that it will indefinitely suspend financial assistance to the PKF, and will withdraw its privilege of holding office within the premises of the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.
Privaldo said the result of the task force came out ahead of the separate investigation that the National Bureau of Investigation is holding.
“The NBI is more concerned with the criminal aspect committed by the NSA. There will be other sanctions. Their actions and recommendations will also be considered,” said Privaldo.
The PSC and NBI launched separate probes last month, questioning athletes, coaches and PKF officials to find out what happened to funds amounting to around P3.217-million.
The money was supposed to be spent for the seminars and tournaments joined, accommodations, meals and allowances among other things, while the national squad was in Germany from July 20 to Aug. 9.
The agency began investigating the PKF after learning from karatedo athletes that they did not get the full US$1800 allowance that they were supposed to get from the trip.
Privaldo said they were able to determine inconsistencies upon the submission of a liquidation report from secretary general Raymund Lee Reyes.
Questions were raised when the PKF issued bills of less than $85 when athletes stayed at the Budo Center Kelkheim and at the Topaz Karate.
The task force also took a look at the liquidation report when the national squad was in Frankfurt, Germany, in the Netherlands and in Belgium.
The PSC approved a budget for the use of vans for transportation, amounting to $2,800. But it was learned that most of the athletes used public transportation to go to their dojos.
They also learned that the medical care of karatedo Kimberly Madrona went unreported after she bumped her head during training.
Among the national athletes who went to Germany are Eugene Dagohoy, John Paul Bejar, Rexor Tacay, Jayson Macaalay, Erica Samonte, Miyuki Taccay, Madrona, OJ de los Reyes, Sharief Afif, John Michael Badil, Carmelo Patricio, Irineo Soriano and Mae Soriano. They were accompanied by Iranian coach Ali Parvinfar.
The task force’s findings have been forwarded to the Philippine Olympic Committee and PKF president Joey Romasanta.
Despite the suspension of financial assistance to the NSA, the PSC will still continue its support to the national karatedo athletes.
She added that new guidelines and policies on financial assistance will be issued as soon as the PSC finishes reviewing its present policies, rules and regulations, and guidelines on financial assistance.