Tuesday, April 24, 2007 Despite stringent measures, cheating still a worry in Palaro
KORONADAL City - Despite the stringent screening of athletes for this year’s Palarong Pambansa, cheating allegations still cropped up in the first day of competition in tennis yesterday.
The team match between Region VI and Region XII was delayed after the eligibility of a Region VI player (name withheld pending his side) was questioned.
Julie Lagman, whose son Jacob is playing for Region 7 also provided information for Region XII as she was familiar with the player questioned.
“Two years ago he played against Julius in the 14-Under age group and then he played against Jacob in the 12-under age group. When we questioned his eligibility, he just opted to forfeit the match saying he had a bum stomach,” said Julie. Julius is Jacob’s older brother.
But in a in interview with Sun.Star Cebu, Atty. Cornelio Pacala, co-chairman of the Palaro screening committee, said they have checked the records of the athlete and are satisfied that he is qualified.
Aside from checking the birth certificate, Rene Soiro, a dentist, and Dr. Renevio Reyes examined the boy.
“The athlete is within the age range required by the Department of Education,” Pacala said of the two doctors’ findings. Only athletes born on or after Jan. 1, 1994 can compete in the elementary division.
This year the Department of Education has put up a stringent screening process to avoid a repeat of last year’s games, when a 17-year-old player managed to compete in elementary baseball. (ML)
