Collateral damage

The three-year ban slapped on Paref-Springdale and Coach Mario Ceniza by the Cebu Football Association (CFA) seems to have been a very unpopular decision.

I haven’t heard from the other officers of the CFA except for president Richard Montayre, who justified their action, in a story that was published last week.

While there are suspicions that there is something more to this action of the CFA above and beyond the reason given, which I hope are not true, the CFA officials must be careful about their actions particularly those that would affect the children.

No matter how we look at this, the children, who have developed their love for football, are the ones most affected.

How can parents now explain to their child that their team can’t play because they have been banned?

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There are now many parents, who never played football their whole lives, but are happily supporting their children, who play the world’s number one sport.

In the course of being a sports journalist, and athlete, and most of all as a parent of an athlete myself, I have met many of these parents, who have dedicated their lives to giving their children the opportunity to play.

With this decision of the CFA banning Paref-Springdale for three years, many kids and parents are disappointed that they have become collateral damage in a fight that they are not supposed to be a part of.

One parent told me that she doesn’t care about politics or what rules were used to impose the ban as she just wants her son to play.

The ban means Paref-Springdale can’t take part in the Thirsty Cup, which set the trend for football festivals in this part of the country.

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While the CFA decision has only affected Paref-Springdale, this can also have a major impact on the other schools and clubs participating in the tournaments organized by the group.

Obviously, the CFA is quick in imposing sanctions on erring teams and individuals.

While its efficiency in this matter has already been proven, I wonder if it has also fulfilled its more important role of promoting football in this corner of the world.

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I hope that the schools and clubs that are now actively pushing football would continue what they are doing and not get caught by whatever politics is hounding the sport.

This is not something new or something happening only in football, there is politics in many sports organizations, which leads us to ask once again if they too have done their duty for their sport?

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to Tejero Councilman and The Freeman reporter Garry Lao, my mistah Gines Gallaga of the DFA, runner/blogger/editor Max Limpag, Butch Carungay and Jobyl Jimenez, who are all turning a year older today.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like Councilor Raul ‘Yayoy’ Alcoseba, Cyndril Resma-Tiongson, and Lt. Col. Rene Sebastian of the Army Engineers.

Congratulations also to Genesis Motors on the opening of the new Chevrolet Cebu showroom in Mandaue City.

More power to all of you!