THE US-based curling organization needs to prove it has athletes capable of representing the country in international competitions before being accepted as a member or recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
“Do they have athletes? What important are athletes?” POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Wednesday. “But we are willing to welcome them as long as they go through the membership process.”
The newly-formed Curling Winter Sports Association of the Philippines Inc. (CWSAP) headed by Benjo Delarmente and based in Vallejo, California, announced its intention to become a member of the POC.
Tolentino said it’s his wish as POC president to have more representation in several sports in the Winter Olympics, which will be held in 2026 in Milano Cortina, Italy.
“I watched curling at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games last year,” he said. “I’m hoping by 2026 that we are represented in different disciplines.”
There are two winter sports associations that are recognized or are members of the POC—the Philippine Skating Union headed by Nikki Cheng and the Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation led by Jim Apelar.
Delarmente said the group has 15 athletes who are actively competing in the men’s world junior championships and US women’s and US junior championships.
