PSC urges probe on Little League fiasco

MANILA, Philippines - Saddened by the fate of the young athletes, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia urged PSC commissioner and Little League Philippines district administrator Jolly Gomez to conduct a probe on the failure of the Bacolod City team to compete in the World Series.

The Bacolod softball team has won Asia-Pacific title and earned the right to represent the region in the 11-12 years old division in the World Series in Portland. But they were a no-show, apparently due to the failure of the Bacolod City Little League to secure travel documents for the girls’ adult companion, a requirement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“I pity the girls, they worked hard to qualify only to be deprived of a chance to compete. I’m deeply saddened especially this involved Bacolod from which I came. Whoever is in charge should be held responsible,” said Garcia.

Gomez is still in the US but according to assistant district administrator Chito Gonzalez, the Little League exec has ordered the suspension of the BCLL until such time the group finds a new set of officers.

A deeper investigation into the aborted trip is in the pipeline upon Gomez’s arrival on Friday.

“Even if it’s not really on our jurisdiction, it’s still considered a sport and we have to really find out what happened and who’s responsible for this negligence in order to avoid a repetition in the future,” said Garcia.

The PSC did not support the Little League delegations for this World Series but the agency has in the past extended financial assistance to the young softbelles.