Hontiveros favors POC age cap rule
One of the most senior sport officials — Steve Hontiveros — threw his full support behind the amendment that imposes age restrictions on members of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) executive board.
Hontiveros, the incumbent POC chair, said putting an age cap to those who want to seek executive positions would definitely make the organization young, dynamic and more vibrant.
In its meeting last week, the POC executive board already passed a resolution putting an age cap of 75 years old for its members starting 2024.
The resolution would be submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for confirmation and would be presented in the next POC general assembly meeting.
Hontiveros, the 76-year-old handball chief, said he doesn’t see anything wrong with that.
“In our board meeting, we made an amendment that puts an age cap of 75 years old to future members of the POC board,” said Hontiveros, who has been a POC member since 1977.
“It means that if it gets the confirmation of the IOC and the POC general assembly, this would be my last term and I will no longer be allowed to seek elective position starting 2024. I will be affected, but I have no objection.”
Aside from Hontiveros and treasurer Cynthia Carrion, all POC members have yet to reach the 60-year-old barrier.
POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is just 56 years old while first vice president Al Panlilio and second vice president Richard Gomez are 56 and 54 years old, respectively.
Secretary-general Edwin Gastanes, auditor Chito Loyzaga and board members Pearl Managuelod, Dave Carter, Charlie Ho and Jose Raul Canlas have also yet to reach senior status.
Hontiveros said should the amendment be finalized, he is ready to step down and give way to new breed of sports leaders.
“I had seen everything in my four decades of service to Philippine sports,” said Hontiveros, a long-time bowling chief who is regarded as one of the only three Filipinos to become president of a world body.
“I think it’s time for me to call it quits and give way to younger set of sport leaders.”