THE Philippine Olympic Committee yesterday asked sports leaders of beleaguered national sports associations to coordinate with the Olympic body, instead of blowing the issues out of proportion before the media and putting the organization in bad light.

Joey Romasanta, the POC media bureau chief, said NSA heads, who have been temporarily put in a ?freezer,? must stick to the issues and stop using the media with statements which could run contrary to the Olympic motto and solidarity in sports which are the thrusts of reelected POC chief Jose Cojuangco Jr.

?Yes, we all love sports, but issues like these must be resolved within the boundary of the Olympic movement and not through a public forum. These actions and publicity gimmicks will only cause more trouble,? said Romasanta, also the vice president of the Philippine Karate-do Federation.

?Ang dapat nilang gawin ay sumunod sa hinihinging sitwasyon at gawin ang nararapat upang maipakita ang legalidad ng kanilang personalidad,? he added.

Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino, bowling icon Bong Coo, archer Kit Cojuangco and a group a swimming parents are all up in arms against the POC after they were denied recognition by the POC. Edwin Rollon