Former national athlete Donnie Geisler said he is taking legal action against the Philippine Taekwondo Association.
Geisler said he has filed a complaint before Philippine Competitions Commission yesterday morning.
The chief trainer/owner of the Donnie Geisler Taekwondo Academy expressed alarm on the PTA recently after members of the national team were prohibited from joining online Zoom classes that he has been organizing.
“Marami nang nangyari throughout the years. Numerous times that this happened. I just took the first step by bringing it forward,” Geisler told the Manila Standard.
Geisler filed an affidavit before the PCC yesterday through his lawyer Jay Sangalang, saying the recent incidents with the PTA involved Pauline Lopez when she was not permitted to join the online conference as guest speaker. Then, other national athletes like Samuel Morrison and Arven Alcantara were not allowed as well.
“I’m feeling disappointed. I’ve been doing the online Taekwondo Zoom lessons for a few months now to keep my students active and motivated during this time of quarantine. I was able to keep a good regular training program for the kids and I thought of inviting distinguished guests to inspire encourage and so that the students have something positive to look forward to every Saturday,” said Geisler in an open letter.
Geisler said he has been initiating online activities during the lockdowns for the purpose of sharing “the sport I love to the youth of country.”
He said he felt surprised when he learned that two of his guests, Morrison and Alcantara were reprimanded and prevented by the PTA from joining the session last June 6.
“I felt even worse when I found out that they resigned from the National Team including their head coach. These athletes are the top players of the Philippine Taekwondo and I just feel bad they were treated that just for purpose of inspiring the future champions of the sport,” wrote Geisler.
