By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The use of too many naturalized players is going overboard and is destroying the essence of the regional sportsfest which is founded on cooperation, understanding and relations among countries in the South East Asian region.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann and several Filipino athletes, including billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes raised concern over the rampant use of naturalized players in the ongoing 32nd SEA Games here.
Bachmann said this practice is “unethical” and should be tackled the soonest by the SEAG Committee before it destroys everything it gains in the past.
“Kumbaga, it went overboard already. If it’s not allowed in the Asian Games or the Olympics, then why is the SEAG allowing it. So hopefully the Committee, whoever is the member, ayusin naman. Sobra-sobra na,” Bachmann said.
While the country has a lone naturalized player in Justin Brownlee, Cambodia has so many “secret weapons.”
“Some of the comments from social media, parang we know the rules, okay pala, so bakit hindi ginawa. For me, it’s not ethical naman. Parang, kawawa naman yung mga Pinoy. They’re supposed to represent the country,” said Bachmann.
“That’s the easy way eh (get naturalized players), but we’d rather do the right way,” he added.
Reyes was of one of the victims of Cambodia’s naturalized players when he lost to Woo Dong Hong Hoon, 40-15. It turned out that Woo Dong Hong Hoon has a Korean lineage.
“Akala ko nga noong una, kayang-kaya ko yung kalaban ko eh, miski may edad na siya. Eh yun pala ang galing niya. Galing palang Korea, doon nagti-training,” said Reyes.
Basketball dribbler Jack Animam earlier aired her sentiments about the issue after three naturalized players from the United States played for Cambodia in the 3×3 men’s and women’s events.
“I think if there’s gonna be a lot of imports like this, I don’t think the essence of the SEA Games is gonna be there,” said Animam, whose women’s 3×3 team finished silver a few days ago.
“I mean, para saan pa doing this SEA Games if we’re not fielding our own homegrown talent,” she added.
