Due to “substandard” oval: 7 records go down the drain

CEBU, Philippines — At least seven records supposedly established in the track event in the athletics competition of the recently concluded 64th Palarong Pambansa will go down the drain after the organizers of the biggest annual national sporting event refused to recognize following the validation of a third party surveyor that the P52 million newly-refurbished rubberized track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center fell short of the 400-meter international standard.

Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas yesterday made the official announcement of the result of the survey conducted by the Mendel Lopez Surveying Solutions, Co. on the track oval.

The result of the survey shows that the rubberized track oval is 1.5-meters short of the required 400-meters in the World Athletics standard. Bringas, however, clarified that the dimension of the oval itself is accurate, only the lines designating each lane on the rubberized track oval fell short of the standard.

“It is not the track oval that is short or not standard size…the discrepancy was a result of the lining of the lanes,” Bringas explained.

The technical specification of measurements under the World Athletics manual was allegedly not followed during the markings of the lanes.

SBD Builders, the contractor that repaired the track oval, refused to take the blame for the mistake.

Shaun Doherty, owner of SBD Builders, said the line markings were done by a third party allegedly recommended by Palaro technical consultant Jeannet Obiena.

“By the way when the line marking was being performed the Palarong Pambansa consultant Jeannet Obiena remotely supervised the line marking work in Abellana over the phone and video calls with the 3rd party line marker giving him direct instructions. We don’t understand why the very same people questioned the marking when the person doing the marking was their recommendation and was closely supervised by the so called experts,” Doherty said in a text message sent to The Freeman.

She explained that her company’s scope of work was only to replace the old defective rubber and install the new rubber track in time for the Palaro which they did. Doherty said she does not understand why the measurement fell short of the standard when the person who did the marking allegedly followed the world athletics standard.

Such oversight is causing the efforts of at least seven athletes competing under the 200- meter track event and above in vain.

A check made by The Freeman on the winning times of all the medalists in the recent track events show that there were seven of them who have supposedly broken a record from the past Palarong Pambansa in both elementary and secondary---three from Western Visayas, two from Calabarzon, one from NCR, and one from Northern Mindanao.

There were two others who also set a record in the 110-meter event. Fortunately for the winners, their records will be recognized.

“The good news is the 110-meter hurdles that was set a few days ago is honored because this is part of the straight line including all the records of the 100 meters…Unfortunately, those beyond 200 meters and further will not be part of the Palaro records,” said Cebu City Sports Commission chairman John Pages.

Minus the recognition of the record the athletes have established, the winners still received their medals. Some of the supposed record holders, however, may also lose a cash incentives from their respective local government unit.

Some LGUs promised to give additional cash incentive for their athletes who have set a new record in the Palaro.

“Major success”

Meanwhile, despite setbacks and controversies, Cebu City’s hosting of the 64th Palarong Pambansa was a “major success”.

In fact, Bringas lauded the city government for “exceeding his expectations.”

“I am so glad that Cebu City exceeded my expectations,” said Bringas during a press conference a few hours before the closing ceremony yesterday.

Bringas, who heads the Palarong Pambansa 2024, said he had made rounds in the different playing venues and observed how the venue-support management team facilitated the games and ensured its smoother conduct.

“Overall, the games are excellent. We owe it to our venue sponsors, particularly the private sector, who had given their continuous support,” said Bringas.

Except for minor concerns in billeting quarters, Bringas said he received no major reports from the different schools that house the delegates from the 17 participating regions across the country.

Earlier, some delegates complained of lack of water supply and clogged comfort rooms in their billeting area. The concerns, however, were immediately addressed by the host Cebu City government.

Acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros said the city government is glad that the organizers are satisfied with the city’s hosting of the biggest national annual sporting event.

“But then again, along with the highs, there will always be lows…but malipay na kaayo mi upon hearing the statement na we exceeded expectations,” said Hontiveros.

Pages said that hosting the Palarong Pambansa was both “fulfilling and challenging”.

Based on the feedbacks from the different tournament directors, Pages personally assessed the city’s hosting of the event as a “major success” — (FREEMAN)