Scalawag organizers

Cebu City Sports Commissioner Allan Delantar gave me a call the other day inviting me to a meeting at the Cebu City Sports Commission office today. Allan said he got many complaints from runners who wailed on the conduct of organizers of running events.  The runners complained that some race organizers were not complying on their perks like not giving the prizes as advertised on their streamers and posters.  For instance, one winner said the organizers announced a ten thousand prize money for the champion but during the awarding ceremonies, he got only 5 thousand.  What happened to the other half?. Another runner reported that the  date on the finishers singlet they received  was dated two years ago when in fact the event was held last  month.  Meaning, “Ang mga sobra nga singlets maoy ipanghatag”.  The same happened with the medals and trophies.  The runners are paying the exact amount but are being fooled by these organizers that have only profit on their minds.  A few years back, I assisted then councilor now vice mayor Ed Labella, draft the ordinance that regulates road races but we did not include sanctions for scheming organizers.  So Allan has invited several race directors to a meeting where we could deliberate measures and sanctions to these dishonest people.  Allan has invited me being one of the pioneer organizers in the country while also being elected president of the defunct Association of Road Race Organizers (ARRO).  Former members of the organization were former POC  chairman Tom Carrasco, Red Dumuk, Ron Delos Reyes, Rudy Biscocho  and  Ed Paez.   When Allan asked me what are some of the punishment, I told him I’ll follow what President Digong always say “Sampalin mo”.  Will you do the honor Allan?  Of course we will also slap them with sanctions like banning them from organizing races.

Palarong Pambansa

When you hit the bottom there’s no way to go but up.  I hope this will be the ending scenario of our CVIRAA Team that will be competing in the 61st Palarong Pambansa in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.  Councilor Joy Young was very vocal and even suggested to scrap our participation after CVIRAA placed ninth in the last Palaro.  A sports power like Cebu, going that low? Well, I just hope we attain our target of placing fifth this time around but we could also end up tenth.  My good friend Sam Costanilla was awed when I told him I’m turning 70 years old this year.  Sam said I look like 69.  “Mao ba Sam,  gamay ra imo gipahangyo”.  Anyway, Good Luck CVIRAA please bring home the eggs este..the bacon.

Another Boston

Timely arrest of six suspected terrorists in Berlin prevented a repeat of the Boston Marathon nightmare where two siblings planted bombs at the finish line of the marathon, killing three while injuring dozens of spectators.  Police arrested the men who planned to wade through the thousands of runners and spectators of the Berlin Half-marathon. More than 630 police officers guarded the race that attracted over 36,000 runners.   Just imagine if the plotters were not caught.

Did you know?

HARRY MALLIN of England won the Olympic middleweight championship  in 1920.  But in the 1924 Paris quarterfinals, Mallin, who was ahead on points against Frenchman Roger Brousse, was bitten on the chest by Brousse during a clinch.  Mallin protested to the ref but the latter could not understand English. Brousse was awarded a controversial point decision, but after a complaint from a neutral  Swedish official who saw the biting incident, Brousse was disqualified and reversed the decision.  Mallin defeated fellow Brit John Elliot  in the final.  Mallin has  won over 200 amateur contests without a single defeat and was the British champion from 1919 to 1923.  Move over Mike Tyson!