Sunday, September 24, 2006 Treat other sports fairly: Ceva’s Soco to Cesafi By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Correspondent
Cebu Volleyball Association (Ceva) calls on the officials of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) to be fair to all sporting events.
“Give equitable attention to all events,” Ceva president Glen Soco said after the collegiate championship of the volleyball event. Last Friday, the volleyball final wrapped up at the University of San Carlos Gym, but, unlike the basketball final where the officials flocked, not one had showed up.
“I was disappointed because they don’t give other sports that much importance,” Soco added.
Attention
“These players practice as hard and train as much and give their best just like the basketball players so why can’t they be given the same amount of attention and support,” he added.
Soco also said that Cesafi events, like volleyball, are supposed to be the premier and most prestigious tournaments in Cebu as it involves the city’s best players.
“Sayang kaayo kung dili mahatagan ug importansya. Ma-overshadaow lang sila sa gagmay nga tournaments,” he said.
Ceva was tapped by Cesafi to organize the event, which according to Soco has given a professional touch on collegiate volleyball, having trained and FIVB accredited officials and staff. Most of the officials were trained last year by FIVB, the international sanctioning body, when two international tournaments were held in Cebu.
Being there physically is not the only thing that some officials of other events are lamenting about.
Funds
A source, who requested not to be identified, said volleyball and badminton games are through, but the budget has not been released yet. Football, which is ongoing, had started without a single cent coming from the Cesafi coffers.
Apparently, the volleyball event was running on Ceva’s funds. It has postponed the secondary competitions because they are realigning their funds to the Governor Gwen Garcia Cup, which they are also organizing.
The tournament managers refused to comment.
Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy on the other hand, when asked about the funds, said that he is waiting for the necessary documents, so that the money would be released.
