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‘POLITICALLY MOTIVATED’

GTK suspends Muros’ coach

08/17/2007

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association yesterday suspended indefinitely national coach George Noel Posadas — husband/coach of the legendary Elma Muros, after 36 coaches and athletes petitioned Patafa president Go Teng Kok to remove him for alleged incompetence and for being incapable of training athletes under his care.

But Posadas debunked these claims, saying his ouster was tainted with politics after Go had accused him of squealing confidential information to his bitter nemesis, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Ritchie Garcia, days before he was told to leave.

He claimed Go called his attention before handing him his suspension and asked if he was feeding critical information to the PSC, something which he strongly denied.

He, however, admitted having met with PSC national sports association (NSA) affairs chief Annie Ruiz recently to tackle the possibility of listing his ward, Mercedita Manipol, in the national line-up that will compete in a tournament in Hong Kong.

“Why would I do that, he’s my boss?” Posadas, a four-year jumping coach and husband of Elma Muros-Posadas, said. “Tinanong niya ako kung nagsusumbong daw ba ako sa PSC, I said ‘no.’ Wala naman akong dapat isumbong eh. I have been here for almost 18 years at wala naman kayong nababalitaan na masama sa akin.”

He also said Go’s action came too soon after Go’s close associate, Luisito “Ojon” Artiaga, allegedly spearheaded the ouster plot against him. Artiaga, he further said, bears a personal grudge against him.

“Mas gusto kasi ni Manipol na sa akin mag-ensayo kesa sa kanya. Siguro ‘professional jealousy’ lang yun. I have contributed so many medals courtesy of Elma, I don’t think masisira nila ako ng ganun-ganon lang.”

In a two-page document dated July 28, the petitoners accused Posadas of “backfighting and spreading rumors that grossly demoralize the athletes and the association.” He was also charged of “being unfair, disrespectful and uncooperative” with other coaches and athletes, prompting them to take immediate action by requesting for his expulsion.

Aside from Artiaga, other prominent athletes who signed the petition are Ernie Candelario, Danilo Fresnido, Arnel Ferrera, Allan Ballester and Julius Nierras. But, interestingly, even Lerma Baluitan-Gabito and Maristela Torres, who are his recruits, have also sought his ouster.

“If you’ll notice, most of those who signed are training in Baguio. How would they know kung ano’ng nangyayari dito kung nadun sila. Baka naman pinilit lang sila,” Posadas, who is also the athletics coach of the Far Eastern University, said.

The Patafa executive board is set to hold a meeting today to discuss the case of Posadas. Go vowed that they will have a resolution to Posadas’ case before he leaves for Japan early next week.