The Visayas Qualifiers of the Philippine Olympic Festival has been postponed indefinitely, while the Philippine Olympic Committee board reviews the practicability of the talent-search program, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, the POC vice president, said last night.

The solon admitted that the Olympic body is encountering difficulties looking for sponsors and a host LGU for the Visayas qualifiers that was supposed to be held in San Jose, Antique in January.

Puentevella added that the festival for 15-Under and 17-Under athletes may just be a "duplication" of the Department of Education and Philippine Sports Commission-organized Palarong Pambansa.

Among the four qualifying tournaments, only the Visayas festival has yet to be staged.

The gold medalists in the qualifying tournaments earn tickets to the national finals in Manila scheduled in November.

"We may not need all the qualifying tournaments anymore and just hold the national finals," he said, adding that the records in the recent Mindanao qualifiers may not be close to the national standards.

Puentevella, however, said he is unsure if the finals will be held, citing budgetary constraints.

In a separate interview, Manuel De Oro, the Negros Occidental provincial sports officer-in-charge, said he has sought an update from the POC on the status of the Visayas Qualifiers.

De Oro's move came after the Negros Occidental Football Association 15-Under and 17-Under champion teams inquired about the staging of the tournament.

"The football teams are ready for the tournament," De Oro added.*CPT

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