THE Asian Confederation of Billiard Sport (ACBS) has suspended the Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines (BSCP) and asked the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to run the affairs of the sport for the next three months.
In a letter to the POC dated March 9, Michael Al Khoury, secretary-general of the Qatar-based ACBS, said the organization’s board of directors decided during its meeting last February 18 in Doha to suspend the local national sports association for several violations, including not calling a general election.
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The Asian body also cited the BSCP for alleged "conflicts of interest, organizing international tournaments without the necessary approvals from either Asian or world governing bodies, and not properly taking care of the Philippine billiard athletes.”
The suspension was ratified by the continental body in a general meeting on March 10. The suspension order was relayed to the POC through secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan and asked Filipino sports officials to form a disciplinary committee “to investigate the violations."
It could not be determined how the suspension would affect the billiards community. The Philippines is regarded as a billiards power and many of its top players, both men and women, have earned world accolades and have the respect of the world's best players.
According to POC records, the BSCP is headed by Putch Puyat, longtime supporter of Efren 'Bata' Reyes, Django Bustamante, and other Filipino pool greats, as president with Roberto Mananquil as secretary general.
The two Filipino officials were not available for comment.
The POC promptly informed the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) of the BSCP’s suspension by its Asian governing body.
“With this decision, the POC shall temporarily assume the tasks of the BSCP, including the supervision of arrangements and entitlements for national athletes under billiard sports, during the period of suspension,” Chan wrote PSC chairman Richard Bachmann.
The ACBS also told the POC that the BSCP’s suspension will not exceed three months pending the completion of the committee’s work.
The Asian body “assigned the POC with the tasks of the BSCP, especially to follow up on the files of players qualified to participate in international tournaments, most notably the World Games in Chengdu-China 2025.”
The World Games are set August 7 to 17.
“Please inform us of your approval of the terms of your acceptance to assume the duties of the federation temporarily to preserve the interests of billiard players in the Philippines,” the ACBS said.
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