UAAP bans athletes bound for Universiade

MANILA, Philippines - The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has barred its athletes from participating in the 27th Summer Universiade from July 6-17 in Kazan, Russian.

In a memo dated June 7 and signed by secretary-treasurer Maria Luisa Isip of Adamson, the league warned of harsh sanction should UAAP athletes play in the Universiade and all tournaments organized by the Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines (FESSAP).

“Pursuant to the decision of the UAAP Board of Trustees at its second Regular Board Meeting held on June 6, 2013, please be advised that all UAAP athletes/players are disallowed to participate in any and all tournaments organized by the FESSAP or its affiliates,” the memo said. It did not cite a reason for barring its mainstays from FESSAP activities.

The UAAP stressed this prohibition shall take effect immediately. 

“Failure to comply shall merit the sanction of one (1) year suspension from playing in the UAAP,” the league warned.

The FESSAP plans to send an 83-man delegation to the Universiade in athletics, badminton, beach volleyball, basketball (men), chess, fencing, judo, swimming, table tennis, tennis and weightlifting.

It was not immediately known how many UAAP bets are supposed to join. One of those affected by this directive, De La Salle, has already withdrawn its athletes from the FESSAP delegation.