Tuesday, October 03, 2006 USC files protest vs. swim director
THE coaches of the University of San Carlos (USC) swim team submitted a formal protest to the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation board of directors, after their relay team was barred from competing in last weekend’s event at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The complaint was file against tournament director Dr. Gil Ramas, after the latter disqualified the line-up of their participants in the relay events and accused Ramas of abusing his authority.
“There was no basis for the disqualification. It was a late submission of entry and there are no ground rules concerning such technicality... it was a mere abuse of authority,” read the complaint, which was signed by head coaches Rolando Sanchez and Agusto Bonilla.
USC failed to submit a complete list of swimmers in the relays for Sunday on the deadline set by Ramas.
During last Saturday’s competition, Ramas announced over the loudspeakers that officials will only accept lineup of all teams 30 minutes after the competition at the latest.
“I have announced five times and said that late entries will no longer be accepted. I even made special mention of USC because all the other coaches have submitted but them,” Ramas told Sun.Star Cebu.
USC contended that the common practice in the Cesafi was to pass the list at least three events prior to the relays.
Ramas, however, said in his reply to the complaint that the common practice in national and regional meets is that all entries, including relays, must be submitted at the deadline. (MCB)
