Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association
The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, formerly the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, is the national governing body for athletics sports such as track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking in the Philippines.
Philip Ella Juico was elected president of PATAFA in November 2014 but the Philippine Olympic Committee withdrew recognition due to the absence of an observer from the committee to overlook the election. Another election was held on March 25, 2015, now with POC Vice President Joey Romasanta as observer and Juico was recognized as president by the Olympic body. Juico will serve a three-year term.
Upon the legitimization of his post as president, Juico announced a plan to rename the Athletics body and drop the word "amateur" because the body also accommodates professional and semi-pro athletes and not only collegiate players. The sporting body was renamed Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association on March 25 at the POC General Assembly where the athletics body was also granted recognition by the Olympic Body.
