Team Visayas gets stranded after Marina holds Super Ferry ships

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

AFTER winning the Perpetual trophy of the Milo Little Olympics National Finals by virtue of its third straight title, Team Visayas was full of spirit leaving Pangasinan last Monday.

But whatever excitement the athletes had fizzled as the champion athletes were made to thaw out at the pier of Super Ferry after they were made to wait for hours before finally getting the go signal to depart.

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Exhausted from the games and the six-hour trip from Pangasinan to Manila, the athletes stayed for more than 18 hours at the pier when Super Ferry’s boats were suspended by the Marina Sunday night. Reportedly, one of Super Ferry’s boats figured in an accident where it collided with a fishing vessel in Gen. Santos City. Because of this, the ship that the 300 athletes were supposed to board for Cebu, was also affected.

“I was alarmed when I learned that the trip might be delayed. But I just never expected it to be this delayed. We are responsible for all these 300 athletes and we are concerned for their safety,” said delegation head Ricky Ballesteros.

The delegation left Pangasinan at noon and arrived in Manila at around 6 p.m. last Monday. They only left for Cebu at 1:30 p.m. yesterday. They are expected to arrive in Cebu this afternoon.

“Since this was something we had no control over, when we learned that there will be a delay, I called up Super Ferry to make sure the athletes will be cared for. I demanded the management to meet the delegation and make sure the athletes will be comfortable while waiting,” said Ballesteros.

The athletes were cramped in one area of Pier 15, where they were served food.

Most, if not all, of these athletes will be leaving in a few days for the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) in Bohol.

Ballesteros said the long way home won’t affect the athletes’ performance in the Cviraa since there is still time for them to recuperate before leaving for Bohol.

“There are some leaving on the 25th just to get used to the playing venues but the event starts on the 28th yet, so there is time to rest,” said Ballesteros.

“The athletes are trying to entertain themselves. Others are relaxing while waiting for the time of departure. Pero lagsik ra man ang mga bata, pwera buyag. Wala ra’y problema,” said table tennis coach Jessica Jawad-Honoridez.